A Chinese Inner Mongolian professional basketball player who played in the NBA and Chinese Basketball Association, known for being one of the first Chinese players in the NBA.
Mengke Bateer, a Chinese Inner Mongolian former professional basketball player, is best known for being the first Chinese basketball player to win an NBA championship and play in the NBA without being selected in any NBA draft. Throughout his career, he played parts of three seasons in the NBA and spent the majority of his time competing in the Chinese Basketball Association.
Mengke Bateer was born on November 20, 1975, in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. As a Chinese Mongol, he doesn't have a family name, and his full name, Mnkh Baatar, means "Eternal Hero" in Mongolian. In Mandarin, he is simply referred to as Ba Te Er, and is affectionately called Da Ba, which means "The Bus."
Bateer played at the center position, standing at an impressive 210 cm and weighing 132 kg. Despite being severely hindered by a lack of speed, he was widely respected as an accomplished screensetter and passer. His prowess as a passer was put on full display during one of his earliest NBA games, when he dished out six assists against the Chicago Bulls on March 30, 2002.
In the NBA, Bateer played for the Denver Nuggets and the San Antonio Spurs, winning the NBA championship with the Spurs in 2003. He also played for the Toronto Raptors in his final NBA season.
In the Chinese Basketball Association, Bateer had a successful career with the Beijing Ducks, winning the CBA finals, and later played for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers and the Sichuan Blue Whales in the National Basketball League.
As of his official retirement in 2015, Bateer holds two notable distinctions: he is the only Chinese basketball player to have played in the NBA without being selected in any NBA draft, and the first Chinese basketball player to have been on an NBA championship-winning roster.
Mengke Bateer's achievements have paved the way for future generations of Chinese basketball players. His success in the NBA and the Chinese Basketball Association has inspired countless young players in China and beyond. Today, he remains a beloved figure in Chinese basketball, and his legacy continues to inspire and motivate players around the world.
Through his remarkable career and achievements, Mengke Bateer has left an indelible mark on the world of basketball, and his legacy will continue to inspire and motivate players for generations to come.
45 Years Old
A dominant center in the NBA, known for his impressive skills on the court and cultural impact as a Chinese player in the American league.
48 Years Old
Chinese professional basketball player who became the first player from the People's Republic of China to play in the NBA, playing for several teams including the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers. He is also a three-time Chinese Basketball Association champion.
30 Years Old
A Chinese professional basketball player who has played in the NBA and internationally, known for his impressive skills and athleticism on the court.
40 Years Old
A Chinese professional basketball player who played in the NBA and Chinese Basketball Association, known for being the first Chinese player to win an NBA championship ring.
