From Athens Plympic official page:

http://www.athens2004.com/en/ParticipantBiography?pid=364910&rsc=BKM400A02

Profile
Name: Batere MENKE
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 20 NOV 1975
Height: 2.10 m / 6'11"
Profession:
Hobbies:
Other Sports Activities:
Olympic Event: Basketball
Olympic Qualification:
NOC Code: CHN
Place of Birth:
Weight: 140 kg / 309 lbs
Marital Status:
Started Competing:
National Coach:
Personal Best:
Season Best:
Olympic Solidarity: No


General Interests
Nickname: Dinosaur. (nba.com 06/02/03)
Hobbies: Watching cartoons. (nba.com 06/02/03)
MarStatus: Married
Club: Orlando Magic, Orlando, Florida, USA (dailytimes.com.pk 05/05/04)
Coach: Del Harris [national coach], USA (asia-basketball.com 21/05/04)
Posicion_Style: Centre (nba.com 6/02/03)
Debut: 1993 for CHN (nba.com 6/02/03)
AddInformation: When and where did you begin this sport?
Aged 12.
Why this sport?
"Because of my height, I am quite suitable to be a basketball player."

Most influential person in career
His coach. (Athlete 25/02/00)

Hero / Idol
Shaquille O'Neal. (Athlete 25/02/00)

Awards and honours
He became second Chinese player in the NBA history to appear in a regular season when he made his debut for the Denver Nuggets in the 2001/02 season. (nba.com 06/02/03)

Other Information
BATEER BASKETBALL FOUNDATION
In February 2002 he established the Bateer Basketball Foundation so Chinese fans could donate money to build a school ['The Basketball Hope Charity School'] in his home town of Hangjing County, Erdos Prairie of Inner Mongolia (nba.com 06/02/03)

WALKING WALL
Along with Yao Ming and Wang Zhizhi, he was a member of the basketball trio that was dubbed China's 'Walking Great Wall' during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. (chinadaily.com.cn 25/10/01)



Highlights
The Competition Highlights section contains the following results:
Last Olympic Cycle; Full results at Olympic Games, World Championships and Continental Championships.
Historical; Medals at Olympic Games and World Championships.
Rnk Event Year Venue
World Championship
12 Team 2002 Indianapolis, IN, USA
Asian Championships
1 Team 2003 Harbin, CHN
1 Team 2001 Shanghai, CHN

If he doesnt help the team at least we have someone else to give fouls when we play the heat and other teams with poor FT shooting big men.

Dude is Chinese Chris Dudley!

Posted by SKY:

I smell "marketing" here. i wonder how much the knicks could earn from Bateer's NY Knick jersey sales in China and elsewhere... i mean he's been the starting C for Chinese national team for the past 8 yrs (i think). If he can play half-decent, income from jersey sales, TV rights, and incresed ticket sales, etc, would mean a lot to Layden.

[Edited by - sky on 09/21/2004 09:21:33]

Layden?

Posted by Bonn1997:

It's a one year contract? I guess that means we have 16 players w/guaranteed contracts. Either a trade is on the way or someone is going to get waived/bought out

I never read anywhere that Sundov, Brewer or Bateer has a guaranteed deal. Either way, they'll probably bring those three guys to camp and cut whoever looks the worst and keep whoever looks the best.

The only other possible explanation is a buy-out for Shan. I don't think Kurt is getting traded before the season. Not at this rate.

Posted by SKY:

I smell "marketing" here. i wonder how much the knicks could earn from Bateer's NY Knick jersey sales in China and elsewhere... i mean he's been the starting C for Chinese national team for the past 8 yrs (i think). If he can play half-decent, income from jersey sales, TV rights, and incresed ticket sales, etc, would mean a lot to Layden.

[Edited by - sky on 09/21/2004 09:21:33]

ummm China-town NY

I like that move. That kid played under the tenure of Lenny, and he is the one that urged Isiah to make that move. I have a feeling that two players will be D.Xed very soon. Look for Anderson and either Moochie or Kurt to be goone

Posted by Bonn1997:

It's a one year contract? I guess that means we have 16 players w/guaranteed contracts. Either a trade is on the way or someone is going to get waived/bought out

Posted by crzymdups:

I never read anywhere that Sundov, Brewer or Bateer has a guaranteed deal. Either way, they'll probably bring those three guys to camp and cut whoever looks the worst and keep whoever looks the best.

The only other possible explanation is a buy-out for Shan. I don't think Kurt is getting traded before the season. Not at this rate.

Yeah....no one has ever said officially that the contracts of Ariza, Brewer, Sundov or Bateer are guarenteed...so roster spots shouldn't be a worry right now.

I wouldn't really read too much into this. My guess is Isiah knows how we need a big man here, so he brings in 2 prospects for training camp in Sundov and Bateer.
I'd be surprised if either one of them are with us in November, but who knows, maybe they'll be impressive in the coming weeks.

he is 31 in chinese, um, I mean mongolian years.