MACAU -- He's being billed as China's next Yao Ming. With Yao missing from the Chinese lineup, Yi Jianlian is the focus of attention on the basketball court at the Macau East Asian Games.
And the interest in 18-year-old Yi, nicknamed "Little Yao Ming," is expected to build up because he could be eligible for next year's NBA draft.
The nearly seven-foot centre already has earned high praise for his athleticism and toughness. In Macau, he's demonstrated a shooting touch as well.
HUMBLE
However, Yi played down comparisons with Yao after an impressive performance yesterday in China's 70-57 victory against Japan.
Yi was humble when asked whether he had assumed Yao's leadership role in the absence of the big Houston Rockets star.
"Without Yao Ming, our whole team has had to play physical, because I'm not Yao Ming," he told reporters after the victory against Japan.
Yi's most exciting feature of all: potential. Still in his teens, Yi could grow more, bulk up, and develop a full arsenal of skills. Yao has said that at 16, he didn't possess Yi's skills.
Yesterday, Yi gave a glimpse of what he could become.
He showed his range, swiveling near the baseline for a dunk, making the short jumper, converting from just inside the three-point line and dominating the boards. He finished with a game-high 23 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks.
