Flying Leopards land ex-NBA guard Mayo

Former NBA guard OJ Mayo will play for the Liaoning Flying Leopards when the CBA resumes following its stoppage for the coronavirus outbreak.

Liaoning, which is currently third in the standings, announced on Sunday that Mayo is in Shenyang, the team's home base, and will sign a contract after he spends time in quarantine and passes a physical.

The CBA suspended play amid the epidemic on Feb 1. The league had been expected to return in mid-April with teams based in one or two cities and without fans in the stands. However, China's indefinite ban on foreign nationals entering the country is thought to have scuppered those plans.

Mayo, 32, was drafted No 3 overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008. He was sent to the Memphis Grizzlies in a draft-day trade that shipped Kevin Love to Minnesota.

He has been out of the NBA since 2016 after being banned for violating the league's anti-drug policy.

In 547 NBA games (325 starts), Mayo averaged 13.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.

Xinhua