Monday, February 25, 2002 - Mammoth center Mengke Bateer is expected to be in the Mile High City today and could be in a Denver Nuggets uniform soon.

The 6-foot-11, 290-pound Bateer played in two preseason games for the Nuggets before leaving camp to fulfill a basketball commitment in China. The native of Mongolia played for China during the 2000 Sydney Olympics and has been playing professionally in China for the Peking Ducks. The Nuggets hope to work out a contract with Bateer soon and give him the open roster spot.