HOUSTON - For Steve D'Shawn Francis, former Houston Rockets guard and three-time All-Star, exploring a culture dating back to antiquity and playing professional basketball are top reasons he's looking forward to joining the Beijing Ducks in China's CBA.

Related readings:  Former Rocket player Harris aplogizes to Chinese club  Chinese basketball team and coach handed fines  NBA all-star guard eyes China  NBA star Marbury commits to Chinese club

Francis, 33, surrounded by his family on the weekend, his wife Shelby, their 5-year-old daughter Shailyn and 3-year-old son Steve Francis Jr, was optimistic about leaving their Houston home and arriving in Beijing this week.

"Why? To play basketball in general, and the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) in particular," Francis said. "There's a lot of things we're thinking about doing, to really, really get to know the culture."

It's been a few months since Francis has played professional baseball, so he's bridging the gap with a rigorous physical regime to not only bring back his fast-paced, flashy game action that netted a 44-point career high in his eight years with the NBA.

Not only will Francis be playing offense for the first time in his defense-guard history, he will be doing it as the only English-speaking player on an otherwise all-Chinese team. The  playing field, though, will be familiar territory.

"I went there in '05 on a tour for Reebok. It's different. There's a lot of people there, a lot of traffic, a lot of transportation," Francis said. "I'm looking forward to getting back on the court and helping the Beijing Ducks win."

He also got a big dose of Chinese culture from his Houston Rockets and current friend, Yao Ming, the Rockets'center and as of last year, owner of the Shanghai Sharks.  After their first 2003 season on the Rockets team, they were both selected as the year's All-Star Game starters.

He spent five seasons with the Rockets, with three consecutive All Star wins. In 2004, he was traded in a deal with the Orlando Magic in 2006, to the New York Knicks in 2007, to the Portland Trail Blazers, reportedly netting him a 30 million dollars contract buyout. Francis returned to the Houston Rockets, which traded him again, this time to a Memphis team that bought out his contract without him playing a single game.  

The frequency and money involved in trading or buying out Francis's contracts, along with his lucrative commercial spokesman jobs, earned him the nickname "the Franchise". But Francis said that to him, basketball wasn't about the money. Still an athlete in his prime, he wanted back on the court.

Two weeks ago, Beijing Ducks head coach Lei Minlu flew to Florida to meet with him. When the agreement was struck that would put Francis in the Duck's black, steel blue and white uniform, Francis began a heavy regimen of physical training.

"If you can play basketball, you can play anywhere," he said.

He has relied on his friend Yao's advise as to what he should do to help himself and his family to adapt to eastern culture, just as he had been Yao's "big brother" to offer suggestions on learning about the culture of the west.

Francis also didn't agree to the move until he had the firm support of his family.

"We're excited, the kids are excited," Shelby said. "It's an opportunity for us to see another part of the world."

She said the family has seen pictures of the house they will live in, and are ready to make it their home.

Shelby also is a main force behind the nonprofit organization her husband began 11 years ago, the Steve Francis Foundation, which provides educational and recreational opportunities for at- risk children and youth. 

The foundation has awarded nearly $400,000 in college scholarships, and Francis looked on December 11 as his foundation distributed holiday presents to youngsters for the 11th consecutive year to ensure them a happier holiday season.

Shelby said it was quite possible that the foundation will become an international one that will aid the children of Beijing.

There are a lot of things Francis hopes to do on and off the court, and much the Francis's will do as a close-knit family. Soon after settling in their new home, Francis said, he hopes they will visit a Beijing restaurant to dine on his favorite Beijing specialty.

"Duck," he said.