The Associated Press reports that Wang Zhi-Zhi has been dismissed from the Chinese National Team for deciding to play with the Los Angeles Clippers instead of at the Asian Games, state media reported Thursday.

Wang, who signed last week with the Clippers, has shown an "absence of professional standards, indiscipline and indifference to the interests of the nation,'' according to a statement by the China Basketball Association published in the Beijing Times and the Beijing Morning Post.

He defied the association's orders to play for China at last month's World Championships and the Asian Games so he could work out in Los Angeles.

"Participating in international competitions -- winning glory for the country -- is every athlete's honor and obligation,'' the statement said. "But when the motherland needed him, he did not care about what's good for the country and was unwilling to serve his country.''

Wang can return to the Chinese team if he "admits his wrongdoing. He still has the opportunity to correct his mistakes.'' the statement said.