Career: Shanghai (China-CBA, 1997-2008).

Liu and Yao Ming were good friends at the Shanghai Oriental Basketball Club. They are also the best partners on the courts. Liu is good at defense and on fast-breaks. After Yao left for the NBA, Liu began to play a more important role in the club and also finally became the starting point guard of China’s National Team. Liu was invited to train with Sacramento Kings in 2004 and played two pre-season games between the Sacramento Kings and the Houston Rockets. He wasn’t able to win a contract, however, to become the first Chinese guard in the NBA.