When Chinese behemoth Yao Ming was taken No 1 in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, a nation rejoiced, history was created and a portal opened.

Ming, all 2.29 meters of him (or 7 feet, six inches in the old language), strode through that door and other Chinese were expected to follow him into the most popular foreign league in this country - not immediately, but steadily and surely.

Almost a decade and a half after the draft in which Yao became the first player from outside the US collegiate system to be taken No 1, there is not a single China-born player in the NBA.