Who Is Yi Jianlian? Age, Biography and Wiki
Yi Jianlian was born on October 27, 1984, making him 40 years old in 2025. A highly regarded professional basketball player, Yi made history as one of China's most successful athletes, showcasing his talents not only in the NBA but also across international courts. Since debuting in the NBA in 2007, he has played for several teams, notably the Milwaukee Bucks, New Jersey Nets, and the Los Angeles Lakers. His remarkable performances have earned him a reputation as a versatile forward, contributing significantly to both his teams and the Chinese national team.
| Occupation | Basketball Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 27, 1984 |
| Age | 41 Years |
| Birth Place | Heshan, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | China |
Popularity
Yi Jianlian's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Yi stands tall at an impressive height of 7 feet (2.13 meters) and weighs around 250 pounds (113 kg), making him one of the more physically imposing players on the court. His career has also seen him maintain a commendable fitness level, with his body measurement stats contributing to his athletic prowess.
Yi was named the NBA Rookie of the Month for December 2007 after averaging 12.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game that month, while scoring a career-high 29 points on 14-of-17 shooting in a win over the Charlotte Bobcats on December 22. On January 30, 2008, he was selected for the rookie team in the Rookie Challenge at the 2008 NBA All-Star Game.
On February 2, 2008, Yi faced Yao for the second time when Milwaukee played at home against Houston, which Krystkowiak dubbed the "Chinese Super Bowl." However, both players struggled during Houston's 91–83 victory over Milwaukee. Yao scored 12 points while Yi injured his shoulder during the game, finishing with just six points.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, there is limited public information about Yi Jianlian's personal life, particularly regarding his relationship status. He has generally kept his romantic life private, though in previous years, he was reported to be dating a fellow athlete. It’s speculated that he may still be single, focusing on his career and personal growth while maintaining a low-profile lifestyle.
As a child, Yi's parents did not allow him to join a sports school, which is designed for children predicted to be future professional athletes. However, a sports school's basketball coach who saw him playing street basketball persuaded his family to allow him to train professionally.
Hoping to sign Yi to an endorsement deal, Adidas invited him to attend the company's ABCD Camp in New Jersey in 2002, where he competed against all-American high school players.
Net Worth and Salary
In 2025, Yi Jianlian's net worth is estimated to be around $30 million, largely accrued from his lucrative basketball contracts, endorsements, and business ventures. Over his career, he has signed significant NBA contracts and has lucrative endorsement deals with various brands that resonate well within China and abroad. His annual salary varies depending on his contracts and endorsements, but it is projected to be in the millions yearly.
Yi is fluent in both Mandarin and his native tongue of Cantonese. He was ranked fourth on Forbes' China Celebrity 100 in income and popularity in 2008. In 2008, Yi donated 100,000 yuan to support the 2008 Sichuan earthquake victims and also participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics' torch relay by carrying the torch during the Hainan leg of the relay.
Career, Business and Investments
Yi's career has encompassed both the NBA and the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He has been a pivotal figure in popularizing basketball in China, leading to increased interest and investment in the sport. Since returning to the CBA, Yi has continued his success, contributing to his team while mentoring younger players.
In addition to basketball, Yi has ventured into business, investing in sports apparel and youth basketball training programs. His keen interest in philanthropy has also led him to support various initiatives aimed at promoting sports and education in China.
After returning to China in 2002, Yi signed a professional contract with Chinese Basketball Association side Guangdong Southern Tigers and averaged 3.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game in his first season. He also averaged 7.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in four games during the playoffs, and won the Rookie of the Year award.
Yi was featured in Time's August 2003 article titled "The Next Yao Ming". In each of his next three seasons, Yi led Guangdong to the CBA championship and he was awarded the CBA Finals Most Valuable Player honor in 2006.
In Yi's final season in the Chinese Basketball Association before he entered the 2007 NBA draft, he averaged a career-high 24.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, but his team lost to the Bayi Rockets in the playoff finals.
Social Network
Yi Jianlian is active on social media platforms, including Instagram, where he shares glimpses of his professional and personal life with fans. He is followed by millions of fans who appreciate his contributions to sports and look forward to updates about his career and endeavors.
In 2004, Yi was listed as being born in 1984 during the Four Nation Tournament, but Chinese officials said that it was probably a typographical error.
Two years later, Fran Blinebury of The Houston Chronicle reported that Yi told Shane Battier he was 24 years old in an exhibition game before the 2006 FIBA World Championship, but the story was refuted by both Yi and Battier.
Yi is not the first Chinese basketball player to come under scrutiny for age discrepancy, as former NBA player Wang Zhizhi had been listed as being born in both 1977 and 1979. In 2006, a senior Chinese official admitted that past youth squads had included players above the permitted age.
Education
Yi Jianlian's educational background includes attendance at Guangdong Sports Institute, where he honed his basketball skills. His early training laid the foundation for his successful career in sports, demonstrating the importance of education and athletics in shaping his future.
In 2007 and 2008, Yi's date of birth was further scrutinized as being October 27, 1984, including a Chinese reporter discovering a high school enrollment form from 1997 that listed Yi as being born on October 27, 1984.
