The 2002 NBA draft is still over three months ago, and for the last few months all the talk has been about Duke Point Guard Jason  Williams, who is having another outstanding season and thus far has been the consensus #1 pick, if there is such a thing this early.

The most intriguing prospect has been Chinese center Yao Ming, all seven foot six inches of him.  Last season Ming was set to be a certain top-5 selection, but his home club the Shanghai Sharks announced last May that Ming would not be coming to America this season.

"The main goal for Yao this year is to represent Shanghai to compete in the 9th National Games. He has to focus on to the East Asian Games this month and to the Asian Championships in July," Sharks deputy general manager Li Yaomin said.

"Yao Ming is a very important player either for Shanghai Sharks or for the Chinese League. So we decide not to let him go temporarily." manager Bai Li said, citing that the Chinese League is just starting to take off and they need Ming's help.

But this might not have been the only problem for Ming, with few of the NBA's General Managers having seem him play in person.  Chicago's Jerry Krause vowed he would not draft a player blindly when asked about Ming last year, and it is unknown how many other GM's would follow a similar suit, especially with draft picks that are so high up in the order.

But that was last season, and this season things are much different.  Krause, whose Bulls team is again expected to have a high lottery pick, has already made a trip to China this season to see Ming play in person, as as New York Knicks president Scott Layden, who returned impressed in what he saw.

"I had a very good trip to China," Layden said. "Ming is a very talented guy with a lot of potential. It was a very positive scouting trip. He has a lot of potential in the little chance I got to see him. He's got a lot of skills, a lot of talent. I was impressed."

But the questions still remain.  While he actually be able to contribute, or is he another Shawn Bradley/Manute Bol?  How will he adapt to American life?  Is he even coming?

Layden was told by Chinese officials that Ming will definently be in the NBA next season, which Marc Berman of the New York Post reports should erase an uncertainty that had scared off some league GMs.

And with Qyntel Woods' stock skying and Drew Gooden having a career season this year the 2002 NBA draft including Ming should be much more interesting, if not deeper which is good for the NBA.