Meet China prospect Yi at NBA
By Yu Nan (chinadaily.com.cn)Updated: 2007-03-23 11:41
The red-hot NBA prospect Yi jianlian of China is about to set off to US for NBA draft as soon as the China's domestic basketball league (CBA) ends, according to Yi's American agency.
The seven-foot (2.12) meter is scheduled to undergo two-month long intensive training up to this July, when the Chinese basketball team will be in for NBA summer league.
 China's basketball player Yi Jianlian hangs on the net during a match at the 15th Asian Games in Doha in December 2006. A group of NBA executives and scouts has descended on China to watch top Chinese players Yi Jianlian and Wang Zhizhi battle it out in CBA finals. [AFP]  |
After NBA officials make a final evaluation on the power forward's performance in accordance with NBA rules, Yi is more likely to be soon picked up by the top eight teams in draft selections
"We are highly supporting Yi Jianlian's NBA draft training plan", Hu Jia, vice director with China Basketball Administration, "Yi with his team has recently submitted a detailed arrangement of his US tour, even illustrating everyday task, that's satisfying.
While Yi is in America, national team has planned to avoid meeting powerful opponents, so to ensure his temporary leave won't affect the whole team's regular training.
"Being earlier to arrive US is able to help him touch with western cultures and customs that benefit his English language-learning as well", Hu added.
Being a top pick in June's NBA draft, the rising basketball sensation has long been touted as the best player to come out of China since Yao Ming, the All-Star centre for the Houston Rockets.
"This could be my last CBA finals, so I am planning to play my best ever," the 20-year-old power forward ahead of last Sunday's opener in Dongguan, the first game in the best-of-seven series.
During the CBA regular season, Yi showed quickness, strength and a good outside shot in averaging 25.5 points and 11.8 rebounds a game.
"Americans like to look at the numbers, so if Yi can have a finals game like I had in 2002 when I hit all of my 21 shots, then he could move up to be the number one overall pick in the NBA draft," Yao offered his own generous suggestions for his compatriot.
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