USA - Bucks sign Yi Jianlian to multi-year deal

MILWAUKEE (NBA) - China star Yi Jianlian signed a multi-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks on undisclosed terms early on Wednesday morning.
The sixth overall pick in this past June's draft, Yi's representatives had indicated their wish for the player to be traded, but Milwaukee have finally got their man - on their terms.

Bucks owner Senator Herb Kohl, along with general manager Larry Harris and vice-president Ron Walter, met with Guangdong Tigers owner Mr Chen Haitao as well as Yi and his family in Hong Kong to negotiate the deal with the 6ft 11in forward.

"There has been a genuine excitement throughout our city and state, as well as internationally, following our selection of Yi in the NBA draft," Kohl said.

"We all anticipate Yi's arrival and welcome him and his family to Milwaukee.We look forward to a successful relationship for many years to come.

"We would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge and thank Mr Chen for his assistance and support in the negotiating process."

Commissioner David Stern said: "We are happy that Yi will be playing with the Bucks to further develop his skill and his contribution to both the Chinese national team and the NBA.

"This is another great example of cooperation between the CBA and the NBA, and I want to congratulate the CBA, Mr Chen, the Guangdong Tigers and the Milwaukee Bucks."

Yi is expected to join the Bucks for the start of training camp on October 1.

"We were thrilled to be able to draft Yi Jianlian in June and are equally excited to sign him to an NBA contract as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks," Harris said.

"We drafted Yi with the expectation that he would be a part of our franchise for a very long time, and this is the first step in that process."

Yi has played for the Tigers since 2002-03, when he was named the CBA's Rookie of the Year.The 19-year-old helped lead Guangdong to the CBA Finals each of the last five seasons, winning the championship in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Named the CBA Finals MVP in 2006, Yi has improved his numbers on a yearly basis, going from an average of 3.5 points and 1.9 rebounds as a rookie to 24.9 points and 11.5 boards last season.

He played in five games for Team China in the NBA Summer League this year, averaging 12.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots in 28.0 minutes.

Yi scored a team-high 23 points in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies and added 20 in a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Yi is a skilled and versatile young man who we have seen play numerous times over the last few years, including this summer in the NBA Summer League," Harris said.

"Our players and coaches look forward to working with Yi, and I know our fans will enjoy watching him compete with the many talented, young players on our roster."

At the Efes Pilsen World Cup in Turkey earlier this year, Yi averaged 23 points and eight rebounds in three games.He has also competed for the Chinese national team at the 2004 Olympics and the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

FIBA