Former Chinese international player Zheng Wu has been named as head coach of the Chinese under-18 national basketball team.

The 37-year-old forward, who plays for Zhejiang Wanma club, will lead the Asian under-18 basketball championship in September,the China Basketball Association said.

Zheng, who played for China from 1993 to 2000, said the appointment was a surprise because he had no coaching experience.

"I had thought of being an assistant coach after retirement," said Zheng, who started his playing career at 13. "But I never expected it to come so early."

Source: Xinhua