China

76ers impressed by 6-foot-11 Yi

(The Charlotte Observer)
Updated: 2007-06-21 08:38

PHILADELPHIA - All sorts of theories were swirling Tuesday after the 76ers attended a private workout of 6-foot-11 Chinese power forward Yi Jianlian in Southern California.

China's Yi Jianlian dunks the ball during the world basketball championships first round game against USA in Sapporo, northern Japan Iin this Aug. 20, 2006 file photo. Yi Jianlian is one of the top prospects for the NBA Draft, to take place in New York on June 28. [AP]

The rumblings suggested that Yi may be fading in the June 28 draft and that the Sixers, who pick 12th, 21st and 30th in the first round, could have a legitimate shot at him.

On the Internet, the speculation was that Yi's agent, Dan Fegan, is inviting teams lower than the top 10 to see his client.

Billy King, the 76ers president and general manager, tried to quash that theory.

"They didn't ask us to come; we asked to come out to see him," King said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters after the workout. "Dan Fegan said he didn't think he'd be there (at No. 12), but if you want to come out, take a look."

That differed from King's comments Monday, when he said, "We were invited and we made the decision to go out."

No matter who did the asking, the Sixers are impressed by Yi, who, at 238 pounds, isn't built like a typical power forward and doesn't shoot like one either.

When King scouted Yi in the Chinese Basketball Association playoffs this season, the Sixers' president talked about his skills.

Tuesday's workout, which included two other players, gave the Sixers a look at things they say they didn't see while scouting him in games.

"Shooting the three-pointer, handling the basketball, seeing him run," King said. "We got to see him do the same testing we do with prospects, like shuttle runs and sprints."

Joining King at the workout were Tony DiLeo, the Sixers' senior vice president for basketball operations; coach Maurice Cheeks; and Courtney Witte, the director of player personnel.

Because of other media commitments, Yi wasn't able to sit for an interview with the Sixers until Tuesday night. When they talk with him, they might want to ask his real age. Yi is listed as 19, but several reports suggest he is a few years older.

What the Sixers know about Yi is that he can shoot and score. He averaged 24.9 points and 11.5 rebounds in 30.7 minutes per game for the Gundong Southern Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association last season.

After that, King remained coy when asked whether the Sixers think Yi will be there when they select at No. 12.

"Andre was supposed to be there and he was there," King said about Andre Iguodala, whom the Sixers drafted ninth in 2004.

King was asked how well Yi would fit in with the Sixers.

"He'd fit in well," King said. "There are about 12 guys who would fit in great with us."

King has maintained that there are 12 players in the draft whom the Sixers' brain trust really likes. By anybody's math, that means the team should get a player it is satisfied with.

At the very least, King is happy that the Sixers did some extra homework.

"Yes, it was definitely worth a visit," he said. "I'm glad we made the trip."