VITALS: 6-11, 238, Guandong Southern Tigers (China) OVERVIEW: Considered the next big prospect from China after Yao Ming, Yi has helped Guandong to three China Basketball League titles in the last four years. Was named the CBA Finals MVP in 2006. Averaged 24.9 points and 11.5 rebounds while shooting 58 percent from the field this past season. Was named the CBA's Rookie of the Year in 2003. Internationally, Yi has appeared in both the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2006 FIBA World Championships. Scored 18.9 points and grabbed 11.5 rebounds for China in the FIBA U-19 World Championships in 2003. Has competed against American players, like at the ABCD camp in New Jersey in 2002. Both of Yi's parents are former professional handball players. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Lottery pick. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Toni Kukoc COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Kevin Pittsnogle ROLE PROJECTION: Reserve small forward and eventual rotation player. POSITIVES: Yi has a very nice shooting stroke he can take out to at least 22 feet. Despite being rather thin, he has spent enough time in the post to know how to use his height against shorter opponents. Yi will use some fakes to get himself open, and he is a willing passer from the wing or top of the key. He has a good work ethic and will battle in the post defensively despite not having the bulk to push anyone off the block. SHORTCOMINGS: Yi is very weak and has played his entire career in Asia, where finesse has always trumped strength. Yi will find out quickly that successful NBA players use a combination of skill and strength in their play, and he will have to engage in some unfamiliar training techniques (weight training) in order to utilize his excellent skills. It will take Yi at least one full season before he has an understanding of the challenges ahead.
