Chinse basketball icon, Yi Jianlian retires after 21-year career
2023-09-15
A ceremony to mark the retirement of Chinese basketball icon Yi Jianlian, after a 21-year professional career, was held in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, on Friday.[Photos provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
A ceremony to mark the retirement of Chinese basketball icon Yi Jianlian, after a 21-year professional career, was held in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Friday.
In a 15-minute speech saying farewell to professional basketball, Yi mentioned "thanks" dozens of times – for his teams, coaches, teammates, fans, parents and friends.
A ceremony to mark the retirement of Chinese basketball icon Yi Jianlian, after a 21-year professional career, was held in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, on Friday.[Photos provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
"A special thanks goes to China's men's basketball team, which holds a special place in my heart. Every time I put on the national team jersey and represent my country in competitions, I feel the pride emanating from my homeland," he said.
Yi, a native of Jiangmen, a city in the western part of Guangdong province, began his professional journey with Guangdong's first team at the young age of 15 in 2002.
A ceremony to mark the retirement of Chinese basketball icon Yi Jianlian, after a 21-year professional career, was held in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, on Friday.[Photos provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
He clinched seven Chinese Basketball Association titles with the Guangdong Southern Tigers and represented China in four Olympic Games.
Throughout 625 CBA games, Yi amassed 12,781 points and 6,159 rebounds, becoming the league's premier all-time rebounder. He also distinguished himself as the first domestic player to achieve the 10,000-point milestone in regular season play.
A ceremony to mark the retirement of Chinese basketball icon Yi Jianlian, after a 21-year professional career, was held in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, on Friday.[Photos provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
At the retirement ceremony, former Chinese basketball players Yao Ming, also CBA's chairman, Wang Zhizhi and Mengke Bateer were present, giving wishes for Yi after retirement.
"Saying goodbye is not an end, but a new start – I will not stay away from basketball but contribute more to the development of Chinese basketball after retirement," said Yi.
A ceremony to mark the retirement of Chinese basketball icon Yi Jianlian, after a 21-year professional career, was held in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, on Friday.[Photos provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Yi decided to make more efforts in the training of Chinese young players, after setting up a basketball training camp early in 2010.
"I want to give more helps for children who love basketball – they need more opportunities for professional trainings and plays," he said.
A ceremony to mark the retirement of Chinese basketball icon Yi Jianlian, after a 21-year professional career, was held in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, on Friday.[Photos provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
In his professional career of more than two decades, Yi was honored with the title of CBA regular season MVP five times and was named CBA Finals MVP on three occasions.
"Loving basketball in their hearts could make young people to train and play harder," Yi said.
Yi was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the sixth overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft. Besides the Bucks, Yi's NBA tenure included the New Jersey Nets, the Washington Wizards, and the Dallas Mavericks.
