
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 29, 1993                   TAG: 9304290025
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HARRISONBURG                                LENGTH: Short

SAMPSON SAYS ASIA DEAL NOT FINAL

Former NBA All-Star Ralph Sampson on Wednesday denied that he has reached an agreement to play and coach in Asia's first men's professional basketball league.

Douglas Maran, executive director of the Asian Basketball Association, had said Tuesday that Sampson, the 7-foot-4 former University of Virginia star, would play for Hong Kong when the six-team league debuts this summer.

Sampson, 32, an assistant coach at James Madison University, said he has been contacted but has not agreed to a contract.

"We have had discussions only and have not come to any agreements or signed any contracts," he said in a statement. "At this point I have made no decisions about the Asian League."

by CNB