NBA star center Shaquille O'Neal is the latest international sports hero to join the LiNing family.

Sina.com, China's leading internet portal, reported Tuesday that the NBA Miami Heat player has signed a contract to promote the Chinese sportswear giant's basketball boots.

The company has kept the amount it spent on the deal top secret, but insiders reckon it was a generous sum, given O'Neal's status.

Shaq O'Neal is the second NBA player to join LiNing, after Cavalier's Damon Jones earlier this year.

China's leading sportswear company, LiNing, was created by and named after Chinese gymnastics legend Li Ning.

Currently striving to take the lead on the international stage, the company has acted as official sponsor for the national French gymnastic team and Spanish basketball team.

Company sources say LiNing intends to sign more NBA stars.

(CRI August 1, 2006)