The Next Yao Ming?

[Matsubara]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/06/12/SPG55QDQ7E1.DTL



NBA DRAFT: China’s star-in-waiting
Next Big Thing to hit pro game?
Yi Jianlian rated 3rd-best prospect
Janny Hu, Chronicle Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 12, 2007



(06-12) 04:00 PDT Los Angeles -- His country has long held an allure fueled by secrecy and curiosity, so it is no surprise that the biggest mystery of the NBA draft is working out in the shadow of a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall divider.
Yi Jianlian, a 7-foot standout from China, has globe-trotted his way onto UCLA's campus and into its men's gymnasium, where he is deep into shooting drills. His father watches approvingly from the sidelines, his mother from a fold-up chair underneath the basket.
A group of local college players drowns out the scene with their pick-up game on the other side of the screen, but they can only dream of causing the commotion Yi has this month.
Some NBA insiders have the young Chinese star rated as high as the third-best prospect in the draft and a consensus lottery pick with his combination of athleticism and size. The 248-pounder boasts a 7-foot-4 wingspan and his name appropriately means "building together" in Chinese.
Relations between the NBA and China are at an all-time high following Yao Ming's selection as the No. 1 pick five years ago and Yi's impending arrival. The Chinese National Team will play as an entry in the Las Vegas summer league next month; the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic are scheduled for a pair of exhibition games in China this fall, and the entire world will descend upon the capital city of Beijing for the 2008 Olympics.






Just thought I'd post something a bit lighter - nice to know someone's doing well. High fives to Jianlian. :thumbsup: