Aiming to be the next Chinese NBA star, 19-year-old Yi Jianlian
from Guangdong arrived in Los Angeles yesterday for a private
pre-Draft training camp, during which he will be coached by former
Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon.
Yi will be represented by longtime NBA agent Dan Fegan who has
confirmed the starlet's participation in a series of camps held by
NBA teams ahead of the draft to be held in New York on June 28.
Following this stay, Yi will likely play the NBA summer league, as
recommended by Yao Ming.??
China's top NBA prospect Yi Jianlian walks
out of the Los Angeles International Airport,United States on April
12, 2007 for his league's annual draft in
June.[sina.com]
China's top NBA prospect Yi Jianlian walks
out of the Los Angeles International Airport, United States
on?April 12, 2007 for his league's annual draft in
June.[sina.com]
Houston Rockets' All-star center Yao has urged Yi Jianlian to
"open himself" to a new lifestyle in the United States.
"As far as I know, Yi is a little bit shy so his prime task in
the US will be to open up a little,” Yao told the Basketball
Pioneer. "You cannot ignore the cultural difference between
eastern and western countries and many people have trouble dealing
with this fact. Yi must open his heart and communicate with the
people around him on and off the court, not only teammates, but
also coaches, trainers, officials and the media. Good communication
will remove a lot of the pressure from his shoulders.”
"From my experience, it is vital that he plays in the summer
league. I think this would be good for him and for whatever team
decides to draft him. I did not attend the summer league when I was
drafted by the Rockets and it was very tough to begin with.”
Yi has been one of the shining stars in the CBA's firmament,
leading the Guangdong Tigers to three consecutive titles and
despite falling to Bayi Rockets in this year's finals, his 25.4
points and 11 rebounds per game made him the second-ranked player
in the league behind former NBA center Wang Zhizhi.
Having represented China at the Athens Olympics and at the World
Championships last year in Japan, Yi has tested his mettle on the
international stage but has never faced consistently world-class
opposition.
"He needs more muscle, that's for sure," Yao told the paper. "He
lacks the upper body strength, and needs to improve his game when
back to the basket as his moves are a bit long and rangy for a
three.”
"Although he doesn't shy away from physical contact, he is riled
by rough post play and must learn to stand firm in the low post
since opposing defenders are able to push him out at present.”
Last year's draft saw an international player, Italian Andrea
Bargnani, picked first by the Toronto Raptors. This year the field
is much tougher, with US college prospects Greg Oden and Kevin
Durant battling for first pick. Yi is predicted to place between
6th and 12th.
(China Daily April 13, 2007)
