MANILA, Philippines – The Los Angeles Lakers are bringing in Chinese forward Yi Jianlian back into the league, general manager Mitch Kupchak announced Wednesday.
Yi, who was drafted sixth overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, is a familiar face to many Filipino hoop fans. The Guangdong-born big man was a cog in the Chinese machine that defeated Gilas Pilipinas on their home turf during the 2015 FIBA Asia.
He last played for the Dallas Mavericks in 2012, compiling a stat line of 7.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per outing.
Yi, who was relatively unheralded in the American league, is a recipient of eight Most Valuable Player citations in the Chinese Basketball Association. He has four championships to go with his two Finals MVPs under his belt.
His latest stomping ground was in the Rio Olympics, where his compatriots finished with a dismal 0-5 card, the second straight time they wound up winless in the Olympiad.