With four months to go until the 2007 NBA Draft, China's top
prospect Yi Jianlian is shaping up as a likely lottery pick.
The 19-year-old took the Guangdong Tigers to a first place
finish in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) regular season
on Sunday as Boston Celtics' General Manager Danny Ainge looked
on.
Ainge had announced that Yi was the reason for his coming to
China.
"I hope I could get a read on him even if the competition isn't
the best," Ainge told the Boston Globe. "He's more of a four-man
'power forward' who can shoot it, block shots. He's putting up some
good numbers over there."
Yi registered his 10th double-double of the season with 28
points and 10 rebounds during Guangdong's win. Despite the CBA's
relatively modest level, Ainge believed he could judge the player's
quality.
"I remember seeing film of Kobe Bryant in high school and that
wasn't the best competition," Ainge said. "But there are always
things you can evaluate."
The Boston chief is on a global hunt for talent following his
team's worst-ever showing this season. The 16-time NBA champions
are currently on a humiliating 14-game losing streak, and rank
bottom of the league with 12 wins and 34 losses.
Ainge has not publicly spoken of his interest in the 2.10-meter
forward but this did nothing to dampen speculation in local
media.
"Yi on target with the Celtics," reported Sina.com, while
newspaper Titan Sports said "Yi slams in front of Boston manager
Ainge."
However, experts warned that a mere visit by a general manager
does not automatically mean a draft pick.
"I think Ainge just wants to take a look at Yi. It doesn't mean
the Celtics already has a plan to recruit him with four months to
go," said Xia Song, an agent who has worked with Menk Bateer and
Wang Zhizhi, two other Chinese basketball stars.
Xia believes the Boston side may well obtain a top three pick
due to its poor record this season with Greg Oden will be their
first choice.
Yi is no stranger to talent spotters like Ainge. He was on the
Chinese Olympic team in 2004, which was coached by Dallas Mavericks
assistant Del Harris, before appearing as a mainstay at the World
Championships in Japan in August and the Asian Games in
December.
Despite the team's limited international success, Yi is highly
rated by US scouts. Leading draft website NBADraft.net predicts the
teenager could stand at seventh position in a strong draft.
On his home court Yi averaged 20.5 points and 9.6 rebounds last
season to lead Guangdong to their third consecutive national
championships. This season marked further improvement to 24.4
points and 12.3 rebounds this season.
(China Daily February 6, 2007)