SHANGHAI - Shanghai Sharks owner Yao Ming has decided not to recruit Asian player for the new Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season.

The former NBA star opted not to recruit a third foreign player for the former CBA champion team, said Sharks spokesman Zhang Chi on Tuesday.

CBA rules mandate the six teams at the bottom of the 17-team league can have three foreign players who must include an Asian, while the other teams are limited to two foreign recruits each.

"Our boss Yao Ming, head coach Wang Qun and the management have all agreed to give up the right to recruit an Asian player, in order to give more match time to local players," said Zhang.

Zhang added that Shanghai have been scouting for two foreign players.

Yao's team finished the 2012-2013 season in 14th place with a record of 10 wins and 22 losses.