HANGZHOU, Feb.3 (Xinhua) -- China's basketball league CBA side Zhejiang fired former NBA player Jarnell Stokes on Friday for his repeated refusal to play.
Zhejiang said in a statement that they "decides to terminate the contract and dismiss Jarnell Stokes, while reserving the right to pursue further actions against him for any loss caused by his misconduct."
The 24-year old center missed Thursday night's CBA game against Shenzhen, which the club said was not "because of injury but his fear of getting injured in the game". The club said Stokes also skipped several games citing injuries which could not be backed up by medical exams.
"We arranged comprehensive physical examinations for him, but can't find the injuries," the club said.
"Stoke has been absent from training for many times. Even the coaching staff could not be sure whether he will compete until the game started," one of the club official said.
The club's general manager Fang jun described Stokes as "the most unprofessional basketball player in history".
"Before the game with Liaoning (in the 33rd round), he demanded a rest as the condition of playing in the next 5 games, otherwise he will not play at all. I think that equals to blackmail," Fang jun added.
After 34 rounds, Zhejiang stands in 9th place as Stokes is the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 25 points and 13.9 rebounds.
