US player asks for second chance in China after marijuana use

 BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Marcus Williams pleaded for a second chance to play in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league following his positive test for marijuana.

The 26-year-old American, who recorded the first doping case in CBA's 17-year history, was banned for six months by the association on Monday, which means he will miss the rest of the season. His club Shanxi Zhongyu was fined 10,000 yuan (about 1,500 U.S. dollars).

Williams' agent Shen Zhiyu cited medical reasons for his marijuana use.

"Williams has been bothered by stomach problem for a long time so he brought some marijuana to China as a painkiller," said Shen.

"He suffered from a stomachache before the match and the medicine from the team doctor did not work," he said.

"So he had some marijuana and did not tell anyone," Shen added. Williams was drawn¹ to take the test in the Dec. 9 match when Shanxi clinched² a 103-99 away win at Jilin.

Williams apologized while he said he "let the team and the fans down" and "cherish" his playing days in Shanxi.

"I really cherish the opportunity playing for the team. I will always had them on my mind and keep watching the game," said Williams, who plans to return to the United States.

Then he said he would take the club as his first choice if he can come back. His contract with Shanxi runs until 2014.

"I definitely want to come back to Shanxi," he said.

Shanxi was also positive about the player's return.

"Williams had contributed a lot to Shanxi. Although he can no longer fulfil his task this season, the club will welcome him back next season as long as his return complies with CBA's regulations," said deputy general manager Zhang Beihai.

Marijuana was strictly³ controlled in China. In medical practice, doctors will use to relieve unbearable⁴ pain caused by cancer but anyone whose illegal possession or use will subject to detention⁵ and fine.

1 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

2 clinched   

v.（尤指两人）互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的过去式和过去分词 )；解决（争端、交易），达成（协议）

参考例句：

• The two businessmen clinched the deal quickly. 两位生意人很快达成了协议。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Evidently this information clinched the matter. 显然，这一消息使问题得以最终解决。 来自辞典例句

3 strictly   

adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地

参考例句：

• His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
• The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

4 unbearable   

adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的

参考例句：

• It is unbearable to be always on thorns.老是处于焦虑不安的情况中是受不了的。
• The more he thought of it the more unbearable it became.他越想越觉得无法忍受。

5 detention   

n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下

参考例句：

• He was kept in detention by the police.他被警察扣留了。
• He was in detention in connection with the bribery affair.他因与贿赂事件有牵连而被拘留了。