Chinse basketball icon, Yi Jianlian retires after 21-year career

In his professional career of more than two decades, Yi was honored with the title of CBA regular season MVP five times and was named CBA Finals MVP on three occasions.

"Loving basketball in their hearts could make young people to train and play harder," Yi said.

Yi was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the sixth overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft. Besides the Bucks, Yi's NBA tenure included the New Jersey Nets, the Washington Wizards, and the Dallas Mavericks.