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Yi and Wang Back in Action as China Beats Croatia

Friday, 13th June 2008 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (2)

Yi Jianlian and Wang Zhizhi, two of China's men's basketball team's Big Three, returned to action yesterday after missing several weeks due to injuries.

China beat Croatia 65-60 in an exhibition match in Yantai, Shandong province. Wang was China's leading scorer with 19 and Yi had 8 points and 7 rebounds. The injured Yao Ming still has not returned to the team.

"Wang and Yi both are far from their best status," China coach Jonas Kaziauskas said after game, according to a Xinhua report. "They just recovered from injuries, so they need more time with the team for their best."

Last night's game will air on CCTV Sports tonight at 7:42 (don't ask). China and Croatia play again in Shanghai on Saturday and in Jiyuan, Henan province, on Monday.

Tags: basketball, Jonas Kazlauskas, Wang Zhizhi, Yi Jianlian

Comments

  • SamIAm
    Saturday, 14th June 2008
    When is Yao expected back? Is his NBA club concerned that he may risk further injury by playing in the Olympics? Do they have the right to tell him to sit out?

    Has Yi improved from his season in the NBA? Do Chinese fans hold any hostility to Yi or any other "defectors" that left their CBA teams for the big money of the NBA?
  • Maggie
    Tuesday, 17th June 2008
    The Rockets could tell Yao he can't play, like the Cavs did with Ilgauskas. But the backlash that the Rockets and the league would see from China would definitely not be worth it. The NBA is trying to take its popularity in China to the next level, and a move like that would kill its brand here.

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