ABC News Online Yao Ming, the Chinese giant who could be the top pick in next month's National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft, was impressive during an hour-long workout for league talent scouts in Chicago. Yao displayed a strong shooting touch and ran the court with smooth, fluid motion, lacking the awkwardness many NBA goliaths have shown. Throughout the session, Yao had a business-like demeanor, but found time for a few smiles. "It has been a dream of mine to play in the NBA ever since the first time I saw a game on TV many years ago," said a statement attributed to Yao that was released by the NBA after the workout. "To almost touch that dream today fills me with a sense of joy that words simply cannot describe. I am humbled and grateful for the unforgettable experience of the past few days." The Yao statement thanked the league and fans around the world. "I owe the greatest debt of gratitude to the fans of basketball everywhere. You gave me the greatest job on Earth and I promise to repay your trust by respecting the game and by challenging myself to be the best that I can be," he said. "Let the good times roll." The 21-year-old centre, who stands at 2.26 metres, drew wide-eyed gapes from the Loyola University students but remained calm and composed as he walked past them into the tiny Alumni Gym flanked by security guards. His business-like demeanor was broken by occasional smiles during a session with 2.18-metre centre Chris Christoffersen, from the University of Oregon, and guards Henry Cordell of Marquette University and Mitch Henderson, a graduate assistant at nearby Northwestern University who had played at Princeton. Yao opened by shooting alone for about 10 minutes. He picked up an NBA ball and inspected it, holding it out and over his head to get a feel for the sphere. Yao sank four shots from just inside the three-point line and demonstrated a nice shooting touch, tending to follow missed shots with successful ones. Next came an "around the world" shooting drill, appropriate since more than 150 journalists from across the globe and scouts from every NBA club were watching from a track above the floor as Yao performed. "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all NBA teams for showing interest in me," Yao said. "I am honoured by your presence and I hope I have not disappointed you with my performance." Yao made 17 of 28 shots in the exercise, including five of six each from the right baseline and right wing, three of five from atop the key, three of six from the left wing and one of six from the left baseline. Next came a catch-and-shoot drill in which Yao sank 10 of 15 baskets, showing a tendency to finger role baskets rather than jam in dunks. During one-on-one drills against Christoffersen, Yao made a nice reverse lay-in and fall away jump shot, showing fluid motion. Christoffersen, who in 2000 played internationally against Yao, was impressed with his improvement. "He is awesome," Christoffersen said. "I think what everybody says is true. I think he is a really good player and I think he is capable of all the things people are saying he's capable of. "His shooting has really improved, he has got the potential to be a great player. He needs to develop a little bit, maybe get a little bit bigger, but he definitely has the potential." Yao's free-throw form was solid, not from the Shaquille O'Neal bricklaying school, and after misses he would hold his hands in the air, seemingly replaying a perfect form in his mind. Lay-up drills, full court sprints and two-on-two drills completed the session. Yao travelled from Shanghai and media attention has followed his every step in America. His statement addressed that in a joking manner. "Proper credit is also due to the members of media," it read. "The game of cat-and-mouse is stressful, but your resourcefulness and work ethic are something I think we players should emulate. "Journalism is a profession I respect a great deal. "Just give me some time to warm up, I look forward to taking each and every one of you to dinner sometime in the future, but the cheque is on you if your reporting makes me look bad." He might obtain the money to make good that promise. The top draft pick will be paid $12 million over three years. But Chinese government officials are likely to take as much as 80 per cent of the money for letting him play in the NBA rather than the Chinese league, where he led Shanghai Sharks to this year's crown. I think this sheds a bit more light on his personality, his enthusiasm and great attitude.
