Chinese player eyes big future Fifteen-year-old Yi travels far to hone skills at Newell's Big Man Camp By STEVE CARP REVIEW-JOURNAL They've come from all over to learn from the master. From Rhode Island to Oregon, Atlanta to Los Angeles, 80 players came to Las Vegas to spend 15 hours with Pete Newell this week and gain some wisdom from the Hall of Fame basketball coach. But no one has traveled farther than Yi Jianlian. Yi, at just 15 years old, is a 7-foot, 220-pound forward who has been playing basketball for only four years. But his potential is so vast that his team sent him from China to take part in Newell's Big Man Camp at Cox Pavilion. "It's important for my future," Yi said through an interpreter. "In just one day, I learned a lot about basketball technique, but I have much to learn." In a country that has gone crazy for basketball with Yao Ming's emergence in the NBA, Yi is looked at in some respects as China's answer to LeBron James. He's young and talented, and he figures to get better with experience. He has impressed the coaches at Newell's camp, and Newell said Yi has a bright future. "I don't know who coached him in China, but he's extremely well-taught," Newell said. "He's fundamentally sound. He plays low to the floor, and he uses his length effectively. They've done a very good job with him." Yi, from Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, plays for the Guangdong Tigers club team. Despite his age, he played in the Chinese Basketball Association last season and was named the league's rookie of the year. Yi could be a key figure in basketball five years from now, when his country hosts the 2008 Olympics. "It is a dream of mine to play in the Olympics in my homeland," Yi said. "It would be a great honor to represent my country. Hopefully, I'll get an opportunity." Yi has represented China in international competition, having played in last month's World Junior Basketball Championships in Greece. He might find himself back in Greece next summer for the Olympics if his development continues. Yi was 12 when he first picked up a basketball, playing in a 3-on-3 tournament in Shenzhen. He said the game came naturally to him, which isn't surprising because his parents were athletic, competing in team handball. And as he grew, Yi's desire to compete increased. He was enrolled in a sports school to aid his development. His ultimate goal is to join Yao in the NBA. "He was a good choice to represent China in the NBA," Yi said of Yao, who is preparing for his second season with the Houston Rockets. "We all look up to him, and I hope to one day play in the NBA, too." Yi might not have a command of the English language, but he's a quick learner. He has his interpreter on the floor with him as he goes through the drills at the Big Man Camp, and when one of the coaches needs to explain something, he seems to understand what's being taught. "The coaching here is very good," Yi said. "I need to come here every year." Yi was fascinated by the bright lights of Las Vegas. "I love this city, so much excitement all the time," he said. "But how come there's no NBA team here?" It was explained to Yi that because people can bet on NBA games, commissioner David Stern has been reluctant to endorse putting a franchise in Las Vegas. Yi seemed confused about the sports book concept, but appeared to know that betting on NBA games exists. "Ah, gambling," he said, nodding. Apparently, the Chinese government doesn't see Yi's presence at Newell's camp this week as a gamble. Yi's team, the CBA and the government all signed off on the trip, which is being paid for by the government. The NCAA need not worry, since it's doubtful Yi will play college basketball. But there were several college coaches on hand this week fantasizing over what it would be like to have Yi in uniform. Instead, Newell predicts Yi will wear an NBA uniform soon. "I think you'll be reading a lot about him two, three years from now," he said. http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Aug-07-Thu-2003/sports/21891603.html
Wow, 7-foot at 15 years old . I was only around 5'4 at his age. This kid is already billed as the next Yao Ming, I guess only time will tell.
Why the F-ck do the Chinese basketball authoriteis let this Yi kid go to Pete Newell's famous big man camp and learn the American gameeven though he is way too young for it to matter.... ....while FREAKING YAO IS FORCED TO LET HIS SKILLS ATROPHY in CHINA PLAYING AGAINST CHUMPS EVERY SINGLE DAY? Disgusting.
Yi, at just 15 years old, is a 7-foot, 220-pound, man, nowadays, those kids get so big and so heavy so fast!
http://www.galanissportsdata.com/basketball/WJM/GroupH/a1teamrs.asp?t=11 his status in this summer's world championship Jr. wow, he can hit 3 and avg 2 steals per game too! http://www.galanissportsdata.com/basketball/WJM/GroupH/a1pllinksrs.asp more info on stats leaders that guy is No. 5 in pts No 3. in rebounds No 9 in steal!!!! No 12 in blocks shot No 4 in 2-P FG made
Holy crap, that guy in the background really scares me. Seven feet at age fifteen? What the crap. How come I didn't get Chinese genes like THAT?
What the heck are they feeding kids these days? 7' foot at 15 years old and already the Chinese basketball league rookie of the year, that's amazing. He may not play against the kind of competition here, but for a 15 year old kid to come into any pro league anywhere and do that......wow. And I doubt Pete Newell was blowing any smoke about how good this guy is, because I bet he's as good as advertised. Guess ESPN will be waiting for the Yi hype machine shortly.
Yi was born in 1987, so he should be 16, isn't he? I have watched him several games in CBA's last season, and want to make some comments about him: Yi's vertical is higher than Yao's. He once did a 360 degree dunk in last year's dunking contest in CBA. I know it's easy for those athlete black players, but considering he is asian and he is 2.12 meters tall! And he has good response time and very mobile. I always thought he has long arms. If you ask which NBA player Yi looks like, I would compare him to KG.
Just depends on when he was born in 1987. If he were born from Sep - Dec.....then he still would be 15.
Those chinaman ain't supposed to grow that tall ! You are damn right. They must be feeding tons of HGH to those kids
I don't seriously believe that they were definitely doing this, but it remains a possibility. Considering that their athletic orgainziation has a history of such deliberate cheating (witness the women's swimming team steroid scandal from the 1990's ), I don't think its outside the realm of possibility to consider that an authoritarian regime might do such a thing.
