Yao’s frontcourt mate on the Chinese national team, Yi Jianlian, has been given permission by his Guangdong Tigers team to enter next year’s NBA draft. However, he still needs the approval of the Chinese Basketball Association and an exemption from a CBA rule that Chinese players are not eligible for the NBA draft until they turn 22.

There has been lots of questions about Yi Jianlian’s true age. He is listed as being 18 or 19 years old, although he reportedly told Shane Battier he was 24 this summer during the World Championships, which Yi later denied. Regardless, when he does enter the draft, he is expected be a high draft pick.

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