Yi Jianlian facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Yi Jianlian
易建联

Yi with the Washington Wizards in 2011
Personal information
Born	(1984-10-27) October 27, 1984 (age 40) Heshan, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China
Listed height	7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Listed weight	258 lb (117 kg)
Career information
NBA Draft	2007 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6th overall
Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks
Pro career	2002–2023
Career history
2002–2007	Guangdong Southern Tigers
2007–2008	Milwaukee Bucks
2008–2010	New Jersey Nets
2010–2011	Washington Wizards
2011	Guangdong Southern Tigers
2012	Dallas Mavericks
2012	→Texas Legends
2012–2023	Guangdong Southern Tigers
Career highlights and awards
FIBA World Cup rebounding leader (2010) 6× CBA champion (2004–2006, 2013, 2019, 2020) 3× CBA Finals MVP (2006, 2013, 2019) 5× CBA Domestic MVP (2013–2016, 2020) 12× CBA All-Star (2004–2007, 2013–2020) 2× CBA Best Defender (2007, 2019) 2× CBA Slam Dunk leader (2015, 2016) 2× FIBA Asia Cup MVP (2011, 2015)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  China FIBA Asia Cup Gold 2005 Doha Gold 2011 Wuhan Gold 2015 Changsha Silver 2009 Tianjin Asian Games Gold 2006 Doha East Asian Games Bronze 2005 Macau FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship Gold 2002 Kuwait FIBA Asia Under-20 Championship Silver 2004 Tehran

Yi Jianlian (Chinese: 易建联; pinyin: Yì Jiànlián; born October 27, 1984) is a Chinese former professional basketball player. He played for the Guangdong Southern Tigers in China and also for several teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States.

Yi started his career with the Guangdong Southern Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) in 2002. He quickly became a star, helping his team win three CBA championships. In 2007, he was chosen by the Milwaukee Bucks as the sixth pick in the NBA draft. After playing for the Bucks, he also played for the New Jersey Nets, the Washington Wizards, and the Dallas Mavericks.

After his time in the NBA, Yi returned to play for the Guangdong Southern Tigers in 2012. He continued to be a key player for them until he retired in 2023. Yi also proudly represented the Chinese national team in many big tournaments, including four Olympic Games.

Early Life and Basketball Start

When Yi was a child, his parents did not want him to go to a special sports school. These schools are for kids who are expected to become professional athletes. However, a basketball coach saw Yi playing street basketball and noticed how talented he was. The coach convinced Yi's family to let him train professionally.

In 2002, a sports company called Adidas invited Yi to a special basketball camp in New Jersey. There, he got to play against some of the best high school players in America. This was a big step for him.

Professional Basketball Career

Playing for the Guangdong Southern Tigers (2002–2007)

After his trip to the US, Yi came back to China in 2002. He signed a professional contract with the Guangdong Southern Tigers team in the Chinese Basketball Association. In his first season, he scored about 3.5 points and grabbed 1.9 rebounds per game. He also won the Rookie of the Year award, which is given to the best new player.

Yi helped his team win the CBA championship three times in a row. In 2006, he was even named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the CBA Finals. In his last season with the team before going to the NBA, he had his best year yet, scoring 24.9 points and grabbing 11.5 rebounds per game.

Joining the Milwaukee Bucks (2007–2008)

Many people thought Yi would not join the NBA until 2009. This was because of a rule in China that said players could not leave for foreign leagues until they were 22. But in 2006, Yi said he would enter the 2006 NBA draft. He later changed his mind, saying he needed more experience. Then, in 2007, his team announced he would enter the 2007 NBA draft.

On June 28, 2007, the Milwaukee Bucks chose Yi as the sixth player overall in the NBA draft. This was a big deal, even though Yi's agent wanted him to go to a city with more Chinese people. The Bucks believed he was the best player for them. Yi and another Chinese player, Sun Yue, were the first two Chinese-born players ever picked in the same NBA draft.

After being drafted, it took some time for Yi to sign with the Bucks. The team's owner even traveled to Hong Kong to talk to Yi. Finally, in August 2007, Yi agreed to a contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Yi started his first NBA season as a starter for the Bucks. In his first game, he scored nine points. Three days later, in his first home game, he scored 16 points. This game was shown on TV in China, and about 100 million people watched it! Even famous NBA player Yao Ming praised Yi's early games.

Yi attempting a free throw against the Portland Trail Blazers

On November 9, 2007, Yi played against Yao Ming for the first time. This game was watched by over 200 million people in China, making it one of the most-watched NBA games ever. Yao Ming called Yi's talent "unbelievable."

Yi was named the NBA Rookie of the Month for December 2007. He scored a career-high 29 points in one game that month. He was also chosen to play in the Rookie Challenge at the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. Unfortunately, Yi had a knee injury in April 2008 and missed the rest of his first season. He played 66 games, averaging 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

Moving to the New Jersey Nets (2008–2010)

On June 26, 2008, Yi was traded to the New Jersey Nets. The Nets were very excited to have him, hoping he would become a great player and bring in new fans. Yi said he was honored to join the team.

Yi (background) in 2010 with the Nets and then teammate Vince Carter

In his first 37 games with the Nets, Yi played well, averaging 10.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. However, in January 2009, he broke a finger on his right hand and had to miss several weeks. Even with his injury, Yi was very popular. In voting for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, he received more votes than some other famous players.

Yi returned to play after the All-Star Game. His averages for the season were 8.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. In the 2009–10 season, Yi started most games for the Nets. But he had several injuries, like a sprained knee and a sprained ankle, which made him miss 30 games. Despite the injuries, he improved his averages to 12 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

Playing for the Washington Wizards (2010–2011)

On June 29, 2010, Yi was traded to the Washington Wizards. He played for the Wizards for one season.

Yi with the Wizards in 2011

In the 2010–11 season, Yi averaged 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. After the season, the Wizards decided not to extend his contract.

Back to the Tigers (2011)

During a time when NBA players were not playing due to a lockout, Yi signed a one-year contract to go back to the Guangdong Southern Tigers. He had a special agreement that allowed him to return to the NBA if the lockout ended.

Short Time with the Dallas Mavericks (2012)

On January 6, 2012, Yi signed with the Dallas Mavericks. He was first sent to the Mavericks' minor league team, the Texas Legends. After playing two games there and doing very well, he was called back to the Mavericks. He even played in his first NBA playoffs game, scoring two points in five minutes.

Final Years with Guangdong (2012–2023)

Yi rejoined the Guangdong Southern Tigers for the 2012–13 CBA season and helped them win another championship.

In 2016, Yi signed a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, returning to the NBA. However, he felt he would not get enough playing time with the Lakers. So, he asked to be released from the team before the regular season started. The Lakers agreed, and he returned to Guangdong in October 2016.

On August 15, 2020, Yi helped the Guangdong Southern Tigers win their 10th CBA championship. Sadly, during that game, he suffered a serious injury to his Achilles tendon. This injury meant he would miss a large part of the next season.

The 2022–23 CBA season was Yi's last. He decided to retire from basketball on August 30, 2023. He shared his decision online, saying that basketball had been a part of his life for 21 years and that he would cherish the memories as he moved on to new things.

National Team Career

Yi's first big international experience was at the 2003 FIBA Under-19 World Championship. He played very well, averaging 18.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. He then joined the Chinese national basketball team for the 2004 Summer Olympics.

In 2008, Yi played for the Chinese national team again at the 2008 Summer Olympics. In one important game against Germany, Yi scored 9 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. He also made a crucial shot with 28 seconds left, helping China reach the quarter-finals.

Yi was also a key player for the Chinese national team in the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship and the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship, averaging 16.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. He continued to play for China in the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. In the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Yi was still the team leader, showing a great performance against Nigeria with 27 points.

Personal Life

Yi can speak both Mandarin and Cantonese, which is his first language. In 2008, he was ranked fourth among famous people in China for his income and popularity.

Yi has also shown his caring side. In 2008, he gave 100,000 yuan (Chinese money) to help people affected by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. He also took part in the 2008 Summer Olympics' torch relay, carrying the Olympic torch during its journey through Hainan.

Career statistics

CBA

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

See also

In Spanish: Yi Jianlian para niños