Former 6th Overall NBA Pick Yi Jianlian Announces Retirement After Stellar Career

Photo: Instagram/Yi Jianlian

Yi Jianlian, the former sixth overall pick from the 2007 NBA Draft, has officially announced his retirement, as reported by China Global Television Network.

Initially chosen by the Milwaukee Bucks, Yi Jianlian's basketball journey has come to a close after a notable career. Recently, the 35-year-old had been a part of the Guangdong Southern Tigers (CBA), where he showcased his skills over 32 games.

His performance included averages of 10.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, with impressive shooting percentages of 46.2% from the field and 37.1% from beyond the arc. The retirement announcement was made public through China Global Television Network on Wednesday, confirming the end of Jianlian's basketball endeavors.
Throughout his career, Yi Jianlian made his presence felt in the NBA, playing for various teams including the Milwaukee Bucks, New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards, and Dallas Mavericks across five seasons. His career stats paint a picture of his contributions, with averages of 7.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, accompanied by shooting rates of 40.4% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range over 272 regular season games.

He even made a brief appearance in an NBA playoff game with the Mavericks. Among his NBA seasons, Jianlian's standout year was arguably with the Nets in 2010.

During that season, he managed to achieve impressive statistics, averaging 12.0 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while maintaining shooting percentages of 40.3% from the field and 36.6% from beyond the arc. It's worth noting that his last NBA appearance took place in 2012 when he was just 24 years old, marking the beginning of his extensive career in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
In the 2015 CBA season, Yi Jianlian showcased his exceptional skills, recording averages of 27.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. This remarkable performance was accompanied by remarkable shooting efficiency, as he managed to shoot 59.3% from the field and an impressive 42.3% from three-point range in 37 games with the Southern Tigers.

His time in the CBA was nothing short of legendary, as he secured seven CBA Championships, five MVP Awards, and three Finals MVPs, according to reports from Sports China.

Read Next: Unveiling Bryce Harper's Monumental 300th Home Run Legacy

Source: Sports Illustrated 

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