New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov is the latest billionaire businessman to enter politics -- in his native Russia.

He was elected yesterday to head Right Cause, a 2-year-old, pro-business political party that has so far been marginalized by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

The 6-foot-8 Prokhorov, who earned his fortune in the metals industry before buying his way into the NBA, said he hopes to help Right Cause become the main alternative to Putin's long-dominant United Russia party.