China's injured centre Yao Ming is under no pressure to play at the world championship in Japan, according to the commissioner of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). The four-times NBA All Star broke his left foot playing for Houston Rockets on April 11, putting in doubt his participation in basketball's international showpiece starting on August 19. Yao, 25, returned to China last week and will join the national squad in Beijing from his home in Shanghai.

Italy's Andrea Bargnani, known as "Il Mago", fellow-power forward Tyrus Thomas, of Louisiana State, and jump-shooting small forward Adam Morrison, of Gonzaga, are among candidates to become the first pick in today's NBA Draft. Bargnani, whose skills and long-range shooting talent have drawn comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki, the giant three-point shooter who led the Dallas Mavericks to this year's NBA Finals, would be the first European ever made top choice.

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