More News Coverage on Yi's Arrival to the NBA

BREAKING NEWS!!!!! Bucks Sign Yi Jianlian To Multi-Year Contract

August 29, 2007 - The Milwaukee Bucks announced today that 2007 first round draft pick Yi Jianlian (EE jee-AHN-lee-AHN) has signed a multi-year contract. The Bucks 6th overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft, Yi Jianlian signed his contract in Hong Kong following a negotiating session with Mr. Chen Haitao, owner of the Guangdong Tigers. Bucks owner and team president Senator Herb Kohl, General Manager Larry Harris and Bucks Vice President Ron Walter were able to meet with Mr. Chen, as well as Yi and his family, as part of the process.


Yi Jianlian is expected to join the team for training camp that begins on Monday, October 1 at the Bucks Training Center in St. Francis, WI.

“There has been a genuine excitement throughout our city and state, as well as internationally, following our selection of Yi in the NBA Draft,” said Senator Herb Kohl. “We all anticipate Yi’s arrival and welcome him and his family to Milwaukee. We look forward to a successful relationship for many years to come.”

“We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge and thank Mr. Chen for his assistance and support in the negotiating process,” Kohl added.

“We were thrilled to be able to draft Yi Jianlian in June and are equally excited to sign him to a NBA contract as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks,” said Harris. “We drafted Yi with the expectation that he would be a part of our franchise for a very long time and this is the first step in that process. Yi is a skilled and versatile young man who we have seen play numerous times over the last few years including this summer in the NBA Summer League. Our players and coaches look forward to working with Yi and I know our fans will enjoy watching him compete with the many talented, young players on our roster.”

NBA Commissioner David J. Stern commented, “We are happy that Yi will be playing with the Bucks to further develop his skill and his contribution to both the Chinese National Team and the NBA. This is another great example of cooperation between the CBA and the NBA and I want to congratulate the CBA, Mr. Chen, the Guangdong Tigers and the Milwaukee Bucks.”

A 6-11, 238-lbs. forward, Yi Jianlian has played professionally for the Guangdong Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) since 2002-03, when he was awarded Rookie of the Year honors. He has competed in the last five CBA Finals and won titles in 2004, 2005 and 2006, earning the Finals Most Valuable Player honors in 2006. In 2003-04, he averaged 9.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in 28 games, including his first CBA title. The following season in 53 contests, Yi improved his numbers to 16.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots on his way to a second consecutive CBA title. Yi led Guangdong to a third straight CBA title in 2005-06, averaging 20.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 52 games. Last season, Yi posted career-high averages with 24.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 30.7 minutes. He led Guangdong to a fifth straight appearance in the CBA Finals, but bowed to Bayi in five games (4-1).

This summer, Yi Jianlian and Team China Basketball played five games in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Yi averaged 12.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots in 28.0 minutes per game. He tallied a team-high 23 points vs. Memphis, and 20 points, including the game-winner, in Team China Basketball’s win over Cleveland.

Most recently in the Efes Pilsen World Cup in Izmir, Turkey, Yi averaged 23 points and 8 rebounds over three games against Poland (28 points, 10 rebounds), Serbia (17 points, 9 rebounds) and Latvia (24 points, 5 rebounds).

Yi competed for the Chinese National Team at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.

China NT European Tour

August 22nd: China lost to Poland 83-66 at the Efes Pilsen World Cup in Izmir, Turkey. Yi Jianlian was China's only truly effective player with 28 points on 11 of 19 shooting, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks. Liu Xiaoyu played 15 minutes at point guard, scoring 2 points, dishing out 2 assists and committing 2 turnovers.

August 24th: China lost to Serbia today 96-76 in the Efes Pilsen World Cup in Izmir, Turkey. Sun Yue (206-G-85), seeing action at shooting guard, had his first good game of the China's European tour with 12 points on 5 of 7 shooting in 21 minutes. He had 2 assists, 2 steals and no turnovers. This begs the question of a possible Chen Jianghua/Sun Yue combination at SG/PG in the near future.

August 25th: China lost to Latvia 100-78 in the Efes Pilsen World Cup in Izmir, Turkey. Yi Jianlian and Sun Yue played well and Wang Zhizhi (214-C-79) had a good game offensively but once again China got almost nothing from its perimeter scorers, Wang Shipeng, Zhu Fangyu and Li Nan. Yi Jianlian showed some nice flashes against NBA center Andris Biedrin and held his own with 24pts/5rebs. He stats are quite skewed since he only played 26mins and had a minor knee injury.

Three Chinese Players headed for the NCAA

Three big men from China are expected to be playing for NCAA Division I teams next season -- Zhang Zhaoxu, formerly of Shandong, Ji Xiang. formerly of Shanghai, and Shang Ping, formerly of Beijing Aoshen. Zhang, who is going under the name Max Zhang, will be playing for the University of California at Berkeley in the Pac-10.

China vs. Germany Highlights

China Loses to Germany 76-71 as Youngsters Get Opportunity

by Arthur Volbert - Aug 19, 2007

China lost to Germany 76 vs 71 in its second game in Mannheim, Germany tonight. Germany led 20-19 after one quarter, 35-31 at the half, but China forged ahead 61-57 after three quarters. China lost in the last 2 minutes when Dirk Nowitzki made a 3-pointer, and then caused Yi Jianlian to foul out. Nowitzki then made 2 jumpers to nip China at the finish.

China lost to Germany 76 vs 71 in its second game in Mannheim, Germany tonight. Germany led 20-19 after one quarter, 35-31 at the half, but China forged ahead 61-57 after three quarters.

China lost in the last 2 minutes when Dirk Nowitzki made a 3-pointer, and then caused Yi Jianlian to foul out. Nowitzki then made 2 jumpers to nip China at the finish.

Wang Zhizhi was the high scorer for China with 28 points. He hit all 8 of his 2-point shots and 3 of 8 3-pointers. Yi Jianlian scored 25 points, hitting 9 of 12 2-pointers and 7 of 8 free throws.

Liu Xiaoyu (192-G-89) played 23 minutes scoring 2 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, with 4 assists and 4 turnovers. Ding Jinhui played 15 minutes with 6 points and 2 rebounds. Wang Lei had 2 points and 2 rebounds in 13 minutes.

Sun Yue had 3 points, 2 assists and no turnovers in 14 minutes. Wang Shipeng scored 4 points in 33 minutes, Liu Wei scored 2 points in 17 minutes and Zhu Fangyu scored 1 point in 21 minutes. Li Nan and Mo Ke did not play as Coach Jonas Kauslauskas gave opportunities to his best younger players.

Dirk Nowitzki was the highest scorer on either team with 30 points.

Top Scorer of the Game

Dirk Nowitzki - 30 Points
Wang Zhi Zhi- 28 Points
Yi Jianlian- 25 Points

I guess some one should offer Wang Zhi Zhi another NBA contract and if ever the Bucks trade the 19 yrs.old phenom Yi Jianlian to the LA CLippers for Corey Maggete and some filler. I can see the Clipper offering a MLE to Wang Zhi Zhi to form a lethal Chinese Twin Tower in Los Angeles.

Complete Video Highlights of Yi Jianlian in the Stankovic Cup

China vs. NBDL

http://www.56.com/u39/v_MTYyMDgzOTY.html

China vs. New Zealand

http://www.56.com/u95/v_MTYxNjc0NDQ.html

China vs. Angola

http://www.56.com/u53/v_MTYxMjU0MjY.html

China vs. Venezuela

http://www.56.com/u15/v_MTYwMDE4MzY.html

China Takes Care of Business as Stankovic Cup Wraps Up

After a close win over Venezuela, China went on a two game losing streak against Slovenia(76-80) and Angola(68-63) when veteran Wang Zhizhi was out with a bad cold. Despite the losses Yi Jianlian was solid throughout the tournament. After crushing New Zealand 93-63, Team China finally come together and played one of the best games of the tournament blowing out the NBDL Ambassadors. Yi Jianlian had a monster game with 28points, 15 rebounds, a couple of blocks and finished the night on 10-13 shooting. This game showed his entire offensive and defensive repertoire as he used his quickness and refined foot work to dominant the NBDL bigs and constantly drew fouls and made the Americans pay at the line. Sun Yue proved to be equally impressive as he wrapped up the night with 12 points by slashing to the hoop at will and hitting several outside shots. He also had couple blocks and assists and shot 5-6 from the field. He send Team China to halftime with a last second steal and a heart throbbing three from half court. China went on to win 82-67

Yi Jianlian finished the Tournament averaging 18points and 10rebounds.

The most intriguing outcome for the American fans is a comment made by Yi Jianalian as the tournament drew to a close.

Sina Interview with Yi Jianlian

Sina : Can you predict Guangdong Hongyuan's performance next CBA season?
Yi: Guangdong still will have the capability to finish at the top. EVEN THOUGH I WON'T BE WITH THEM ANYMORE, Wang Shipeng, Zhu Fangyu and Du Feng are all veterans on the team etc. etc....


China vs. NBDL highlights

Yi Jianlian
http://www.56.com/u39/v_MTYyMDgzOTY.html?wl=1

Sun Yue
http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/bn/2007-08-02/21083342.shtml