By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos wants to create revenues and that means exploring new markets, like China. That’s why it’ s more than probable to see a Chinese player in the roster of 2011 Euroleague Champions and Sun Yue could be the one.
As it was reported DeJun Han was also a target of the Greek team, but due to his health issues, the idea was abandoned. In comparison to center Han, guard Sun Yue is a lot more recognizable face in the basketball world. He was picked in no.40 of 2007 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and was part of their roster for one season (2008-2009).
He was also assigned to the Lakers’ NBDL affiliate team, the Los Angeles D-Fenders. He played six games with the D-Fenders, averaging 9.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.3 spg, and 2.3 bpg. On the start of the 2009-2010 season he returned to China and played until this summer for the Beijing Olympians.
One more important detail is that Sun Yue is a free agent, so it’s easier for him to play again outside the borders of China.