Panathinaikos BC announces reaching an agreement with Ping Shang, as it will become the first team in Europe, ever to land collaboration with a Chinese athlete.
“It had been according to plan, to make an opening towards the gigantic Market of China and we are especially pleased that Panathinaikos becomes a pioneer in Europe, when it comes to this matter”, stated the Panathinaikos BC president, Dimitris Giannakopoulos after finalization in the deal with the Chinese athlete: “Panathinaikos, being the most successful team all through the last two decades, aims to dominate in other departments also. Our goal is Panathinaikos’ name to become famous all over the planet and we committed a great step towards it, by pioneering at opening the Marker of China. Other European teams have attempted it but failed; while we achieved it though a year’s effort. It was not easy, but we accomplished it”.
“A dream come true”
In his first statements as a member of Panathinaikos, Ping Shang stated: “I am excited and I can’t wait to come to Greece and meet my coach and my teammates. It has been a dream for me to compete in Europe and now I come to realize that it has come true. When I first heard of the possibility for me to compete in a European team and especially for the great Panathinaikos, I could not believe it could ever happen! It is, so, a great moment for me; and what I can say, is that I will be doing the best for my team and exactly what my coach requests from me. Of course I know of Panathinaikos’ magnitude; I have watched many of its Euroleague games and I always liked the way the team competed. To me, the captain stands out (Diamantidis) but also many other players… please don’t ask me to say their names because… it is hard for me. I am proud to be a Panathinaikos member; but I also feel to be an ambassador for China in Europe, the first athlete from my country to be competing in the continent”.
Who Ping Shang is
Ping Shang was born in Hearbin (China) on December, 23 1984 and is 2.09m. His father, Guchen Shang, stands at 1.98m while his mother sees the world from 1.86m a height. Both have played professional basketball in China. Ping Shang attended the New Zeeland Avondale High School curriculum, while once he finished school he continued his studies in the USA and more specifically, at the Illinois Central Community College. After 2 years he crossed over to Nebraska University, while he would finish his College career (with a degree in higher economics) at Emporia State. Due to his physical power, in college his was given the nickname “The beast”. He then returned to his country where he competed for the Beijing Ducks, Shanxi Zhongyh and Qingdao.
