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Yi and China did a lot better against Team USA one year ago but then they didn't have Kobe back then.
http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/...070107aam.html
Yi Scores 15 in China's Loss to U.S. U19 Team
USA wins 91-75 over Chinese team
July 1, 2007
DALLAS (AP) -Yi Jianlian had 15 points and eight rebounds, three days after being drafted with the No. 6 pick by the Milwaukee Bucks, in China's 91-75 loss to the United States' 19-and-under national team Sunday.
Yi scored 11 points in the fourth quarter after the U.S. team had stretched its lead to 20 points. He had practiced just one day with the Chinese national team and struggled early after coming off the bench. He played 23 minutes, going 3-of-8 from the field and 8-of-12 on free throws.
"In the beginning, it was difficult for him to find his position on the court," China coach Jonas Kazlauskas said. "In the fourth quarter, he was much better."
When asked if he'd had any contact with the Bucks, Yi said, "I don't want to talk about that."
Sun Yue, taken in the second round by the Los Angeles Lakers, came off the bench for China, scoring two points in 13 minutes. Zhu Fangyu led China with 20 points.
The U.S. team, made up of players entering their freshman or sop re seasons in college, made 11 of 24 3-pointers and led throughout the game. Tajuan Porter of Oregon was 5-of-7 on 3-pointers and led the Americans with 20 points.
China will play another exhibition Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks' summer league team.
It's great to hear it.