Yi Jianlian

Yi Jianlian was born on October 27, 1987, in Heshan, Guangdong, China. Standing 7 feet tall with exceptional agility, perimeter shooting touch, and athletic bounce, Yi joined the Guangdong Southern Tigers in 2002 at age fifteen. He led Guangdong to three consecutive CBA championships (2004–2006) and was named CBA Finals MVP. In 2007, Yi entered the NBA Draft and was selected 6th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, becoming the highest-drafted Chinese player after Yao Ming.

Over five seasons in the NBA with the Bucks, New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards, and Dallas Mavericks, Yi showcased his versatile skill set, posting career averages of 7.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Returning to China, he dominated the CBA, winning four more championships, five regular-season MVP awards, and three additional Finals MVPs. Internationally, Yi represented the Chinese national team at four Olympic Games (2004, 2008 Beijing, 2012 London, and 2016 Rio), serving as China's flag bearer in London 2012 and leading the team in scoring and rebounding. He announced his retirement in 2023, widely celebrated as a national sports icon.