Forward Sampson joins Liaoning Hunters

BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Former NBA draft Jamal Sampson had joined the Liaoning Hunters of the Chinese Basketball Association league (CBA), the CBA office announced on Tuesday.

Sampson, who was selected in the second round (47th overall) by the Utah Jazz in the 2002 Draft, is not allowed to play until his registering is accepted by the league, the office said.

The 24-year-old center replaces injured Ernest Brown, former Boston Celtics center, to play the rest of the season for the Hunters.

The Hunters record 14 wins and 11 losses, finishing the 7th on the standings with five rounds to go in the regular season of CBA. Top eight teams will enter the playoffs.