Yi Jianlian

Team Number:	9
Birth Date:	12/31/1969
Height:	7'0"
Weight:	238lbs.
Position:	Forward

More Info
Yi Jianlian was born October 27, 1987 in Heshan, Guangdong, China. It came as a shock when Yi was included in the 2007 NBA draft because of rumors that his date of birth may have been falsified. He was listed as being born in 1984 for China's Four Nation Tournament, and on NBA draft sites DrpaftExpress.com and NBADraft.net.

In 2003, Yi averaged 18.9 points and 11.5 rebounds a game, he debuted with the senior national team in the 2004 Olympic Games and averaged 6 points and 6 rebounds a game at the 2006 FIBA World Championships. Del Harris, father of Milwaukee Bucks General manager Larry Harris, coached Yi in the 2004 Olympics and described Yi as the most athletic seven footer in the NBA.

Yi received worldwide recognition when he was featured in TIME magazine's August 2003 article titled, "The Next Yao Ming.” He won the “Rookie of the Year” award in the 2002-03 CBA season and won three championships with Guangdong. In 2006, Yi averaged 24.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in the CBA for Guandong. He also holds the all-time record for the most number of slam dunks by a Chinese player amongst the Chinese Basketball Association.

In June 2007, Yi was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with a sixth overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. Since Milwaukee was not on the list of Yi's preferred teams, it was uncertain whether he would really play. Only after owner Herb Kohl made a special trip to Hong Kong to appeal to Yi personally and months of speculation, did Yi agreed to a multi-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Head coach Larry Krystkowiak named Yi the starting power forward to begin the 2007-2008 regular season. In his November 2007 debut with Milwaukee, Yi scored 16 points while grabbing eight rebounds in his first NBA game with a 78-72 win against the Chicago Bulls. In the highly anticipated November 9th game against the Houston Rockets, Yi Jianlian met Yao Ming for the first time. Yi scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Yao Ming had 28 points and grabbed ten rebounds, ending with a Rockets win of 104-88.