Year later we still don't know Yi's true age.

[Nebula1]

I think it's important to know his real age. Especially since he's 31.

[ReddManBogieMan]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yi_Jianlian

Taken from Wikipedia so take it for what it's worth.

Age discrepancy

Although Yi is officially listed as being born in 1987,[22] there have been several allegations that his date of birth was intentionally falsified. However, Yi has refused to comment on his age.[23][24]

Yi is not the first Chinese player to come under scrutiny, as former NBA player Wang Zhizhi has been listed as being born in both 1977,[25] and 1979.[26] In 2004, Yi was listed as being born in 1984 in China's Four Nation Tournament,[27] although Chinese officials said that it was probably a typographical error.[28] Two years later, Fran Blinebury of the Houston Chronicle reported that Yi told Shane Battier he was 24 in an exhibition game before the 2006 FIBA World Championship[29] although the story was refuted by both Yi and Battier.[30][31] However, in November 2006, a senior CBA official admitted that past youth squads had indeed included over-age players.[32]

In 2007, a Chinese government registration site was made public by hackers, and Yi's date of birth was shown as being in 1984.[33] American center Jason Dixon, who had been Yi's teammate during Yi's entire career in Guangdong, said to Chad Ford in June of 2007 that Yi was "21 or 22...It's pretty common over [in China] to change ages."[34] A Chinese report in November 2007 by "Shidai" Magazine traced Yi's past in the Youth Sports School and middle school.[35] The author noted that Yi took his National College Entrance Examination in 2003[35] and received his bachelor's degree in business management from Guangdong University of Technology in 2007.[36] A normal Chinese student with such a schooling history would likely be born somewhere between September 1984 and September 1985, as Chinese laws prohibit students from entering Grade 1 in September unless they have reached age 6.[37]

I also found it interesting that he has a bachelor's in business management. If true it seems pretty clear that he was born approx. Sep 1985, making him 22-23. This would mean he is the same age as Andrew Bogut.

[SupremeHustle]

One day we'll all laugh that Pat Garrity, Jr. got so much attention.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0AzSlfoJyKg

(added youtube clip)

[LISTEN2JAZZ]

That is a sweet dunk mix! I can't remember - did any politicians have to travel overseas and make promises in order to land the first Pat Garrity?

[howe070523]

A normal Chinese student with such a schooling history would likely be born somewhere between September 1984 and September 1985, as Chinese laws prohibit students from entering Grade 1 in September unless they have reached age 6.

Which is not true.
Special talent people/ people who has connections can get into Grade1 as early as they want.

I got into Grade 1 when I was 4, simply because my mother was the teacher in that school.

[howe070523]

I also found it interesting that he has a bachelor's in business management. If true it seems pretty clear that he was born approx. Sep 1985, making him 22-23. This would mean he is the same age as Andrew Bogut.

Athletes in China, especially "JianJiang" Level athelets get all sorts of priviledges in terms of qualifications.
I doubt he attended any lecture at all

[NeedsMoreCheese]

Someone needs to go on a Denny Green rant here.

[Bernman]

Someone needs to go on a Denny Green rant here.

HE WAS AS OLD AS I THOUGHT HE WAS....

BUT THEY WOULDN'T LISTEN!

[LISTEN2JAZZ]

So can anybody explain to me how the bone aging thing works, and how reliable it is? Do they carbon date him or something??

[Bernman]

So can anybody explain to me how the bone aging thing works, and how reliable it is? Do they carbon date him or something??

They follow you around all day and track how many boners you generate. The more boners you generate the younger you are.

[Dome]

I don't understand why his exact age is such a big deal. In fact, why is his age at all a concern? Age is just a number, it doesn't mean anything.

If the Bucks or any team knew what they were doing, they'd understand how fit their players were and how far they were in terms of athletic development. I mean, Dwight Howard and Lebron James each looked at least 20 when they came into the league.

It's kind of the Brett Favre thing too. Everyone was saying he has to retire because he's 38 and 38 is old. Doesn't really matter if he's playing like the typical 30 year old though does it?

Same goes for Yi....if he's got the athleticism and still 10-12 years left in the league, I don't really care if he's really 24.

Are you sure?





This was what NBAdraft.net's scouting profile stated:

NBA Comparison: Kwame Brown

Strengths: A true talent. Dwight is one of those special talents who has it all. He posseses wonderful ball handling, passing, shooting ability and a super quick first step. Combine all that with an uncanny ability to see the floor and you have something special. People with his height and ability to play the perimeter and pass the ball are hard to find. Dwight also has great leaping ability and quick hands which allow him to get his share of points in the paint. His athletic prowess allows him to rack up rebounds and alter shots frequently. Defensively he is everywhere snatching balls, tipping shots, running back on D, he does it all. Dwight is an extremely hard worker and a very coachable kid. Quite simply, he's the whole package with gigantic upside.

Weaknesses: Needs to develop more of a low post game...Tends to rely on his athleticism too much, which is common at this age. Has good footwork, but doesn't use it enough. Tends to drift to the perimeter too often. Strength may be an issue down the line if has asked to consistently play in the post, but the potential is there for him to add it...Dwight at times gets too into the game and picks up cheap fouls...Will need to make the transition from center to PF.... Other than that, a wonderful talent.

Notes: An honor student.....Dwight used to be a guard, which explains why his perimeter skills are so developed. Quoting an opposing player, "He's everywhere."....A bit of throwback, has some old fashion style to his game.....The potential here is scary.

-Savneet Singh

http://www.nbadraft.net/profiles/dwight_howard.asp

Granted, most of that profile is looking rediculous looking back, but the strength part was an issue when he was drafted. Most Magic fans thought he was at least a few years away from making an impact, but after he was drafted Dwight hit the weight room HARD and already beefed up a ton before the start of the season.

By now he's arguably one of the strongest players in the league, which is enough evidence his body ate up the workout routine incredibly well.

I don't think Yi will be that type of muscular in the end, and I don't think it would serve him well. He does need to get stronger if he wants to be able to defend opposing PF's in the post though, but if he stays relatively lean he'll at least hold onto his quickness. His long arms help a lot on defense as well.

I think it's funny nobody really knows Yi's age yet as well, although I don't think it's really that important in the end either.

[NotYoAvgNBAFan]

Ask Astros SS Miguel Tejada, perhaps he has Yi's 'correct' birth certificate?

Their probaly around the same age...

[emunney]

So can anybody explain to me how the bone aging thing works, and how reliable it is? Do they carbon date him or something??

The BonAge test that Yi reportedly underwent is an ultrasound on the hand and wrist. They plug the measurements into an algorithm and it spits out the age of the patient in years and months. Studies have shown that the average distance between the BonAge results and chronological age is 1.4 years. They used to use x-rays to do the same thing; the x-rays were equal in terms of accuracy.

I've never been able to find something to confirm to my satisfaction that Yi has actually taken the test, though. I've only got what I've heard on this board (on Yi taking the test -- BonAge itself is easy to find out about).