Chinese NBA superstar to visit Cable Beach for unique basketball event

China's most famous basketball player, former National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar, Yao Ming, will attend Western Australia's new outdoor international basketball event, the Cable Beach Invitational.

Tourism Minister Dr Kim Hames said the 2.29 metre giant, at one time the tallest player in the NBA, would be coming in his capacity as the owner of the Shanghai Sharks, one of the four teams competing in the event, being held on September 30-October 1.

"Yao Ming has had an impressive basketball career. The Number 1 pick in the NBA's 2002 Draft, he played almost 500 games for the Houston Rockets during eight seasons in the world's premier basketball competition before injury forced his retirement earlier this year," Dr Hames said.

"He is an eight-time NBA All-Star and one of the world's most recognisable sports personalities."

Before being drafted by the Rockets, Yao Ming played for the Shanghai Sharks between 1997 and 2002, and he bought the club in 2009.

Dr Hames congratulated event organiser Andrew Vlahov for enticing Yao Ming to the event, which he described as a great coup for WA.

"Not only will this elevate the profile of the event, but also provide a great opportunity to showcase our extraordinary State to Yao Ming's millions of Chinese fans," he said.

The Cable Beach Invitational will also feature the Perth Wildcats, the Singapore Slingers and the Indonesian National Team.

The event will be held on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1 on a custom made court overlooking Cable Beach.

The State Government, through Eventscorp, is the major supporter of the Cable Beach Invitational, with the Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa; Skywest; and the Shire of Broome Council.

For more information on the Cable Beach Invitational visit http://www.cablebeachinvitational.com.au  

Minister's office - 9222 8788