What was pretty much official is now totally official: Three time NBA All-Star Steve Francis will be in Beijing tonight to officially sign a contract with the CBA’s Beijing Shougang Ducks, according to the Jinghua Times (via Sina Sports).
The deal has been reported earlier as a one year guaranteed deal with a mutual team/player option for a second year.
“Because of the time difference, on Monday night, or Monday morning in the States, the two of us well sign a contract,” said Beijing general manager, Yuan Chao. ”Obviously, this doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone.”
Yuan didn’t give an exact date as to when Francis would officially report to the team.
“We still can’t decide on that. That’s definitely something we’ll handle after he sings. Francis will bring his wife and child to China.”
Beijing’s season opener is away at last year’s runner-up, Xinjiang, on December 12th.
In case you’re worried about a potential Stephon Marbury situation, Francis has already been registered on the team’s official roster for this season. With former New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks center Randolph Morris, and Jordanian import, Zaid Abbas, having signed earlier, Francis’ addition to the Ducks gives the team an intriguing blend of imports.
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mizuhara, Kenta, Eric White. Eric White said: Former NBA pro Steve Francis to sign with the Beijing Shougang Ducks in China http://is.gd/hXtoV [...]
[...] In many ways it is startling how much Taiyuan, and China, has changed in a little over one hundred years. From a place where a westerner could be decapitated with the assent of the Provincial Governor to one where an African American multiple time NBA All-Star could find himself given a chance at redemption (and make a tidy little bit of cash aswell). Other former NBA Stars have now begun to follow Marbury’s lead, with Steve Francis the next great basketball has-been to find his second chance in China, signing with the Beijing Shougang Ducks. [...]