China's Dong Hanlin (left) tries to shoot over an American player during an exhibition match on Sunday in Jiyuan, Henan province. Some of China's young players have the potential to be drafted by NBA teams, according to the US-based team leader Daimon Beathea, who is also a player evaluator of the Utah Jazz. Photo provided to China Daily

Following on from Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian, some of China's young guns have shown the potential to be drafted by NBA teams, according to Daimon Beathea, a player evaluator with the Utah Jazz.

Beathea, who led the US-based professional team, Elkhart Express, in exhibition games against China, was pleasantly surprised by the youngsters' collective play.

"The young guys played very well collectively. I have to take off my hat to congratulate them," Beathea said after his team lost to China, 70-55, in the sides' second battle on Sunday. China beat the Express, 85-63, in the first game on June 3.

"They are second-tier players, not big stars like Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian, but they had great teamwork, which made the team the star.

"I think these young kids are the best in the world when they play together like a team. Some of them have the potential to be drafted in the second round of the NBA," said Beathea, who specially scans Chinese players for the Jazz.

Although earning praise, the young guns couldn't overcome their shortage of experience and made numerous mistakes at the beginning of the second game.

The sides finished an ugly first quarter with China having scored only nine points while the US side netted a mere eight. China had to wait until the sixth minute for its first basket and turned the ball over 14 times during the period.

"I almost fell asleep in the first quarter. Turnovers really took away from the game," Beathea said.

However, China's head coach Bob Donewald felt "OK" about the lackluster first quarter, saying "it was just nerves".

"They were just nervous and rushed when opponents pressed them. We just needed to calm down, protect the ball and slow down a little bit. It's the process for young guys," said the 40-year-old, who began coaching the team last April.

Hailing small forward Wang Lei as the "most impressive" player in the game, Beathea attributed the young guns' rise to the country's development philosophy.

According to Beathea, China used to over emphasize physical training. Now, players, who are stronger and more athletic, are learning how to practice the right way.

In addition, Yao's achievements have boosted the nation's reserves of talent.

"I call it the Yao Effect. Once Yao came over to play in the States, A lot of young kids saw what they needed to do to play in the NBA. They saw the hard work, the dedication and the heart you need to play this game. With it coming up, there will be a couple of (Chinese) kids drafted in the NBA," said Beathea.