[Photo: Lintao Zhang]
The DP World Tour starts its Asian Swing at this week’s Hainan Classic, but the most familiar face in the field for Chinese fans might be someone who played in the NBA.
That is because 7-footer (213 cm) Yi Jianlian is teeing it up in the event as an amateur. Sort of. In addition to the 72-hole tournament, there is also a 36-hole team event pairing one amateur and one pro.
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If you’re a basketball sicko, you surely remember the former first-round pick (No. 6 overall!) of the Milwaukee Bucks back in 2007. Over five seasons in Milwaukee, New Jersey, Washington, and Dallas, Yi averaged 7.9 points and 4.9 rebounds. He then returned to the Chinese Basketball Association and dominated, winning six CBA titles and three Finals MVP awards.
Apparently, the 38-year-old is now an avid golfer. He played in the 2024 Volvo China Open Pro-Am with Haotong Li and attended the Players Championship as a fan that year. And as the DP World Tour announced on Tuesday, he’s competing in the team event at Mission Hills.
Former NBA and @Bucks player, Yi Jianlian, who is 7ft is teeing it up on Thursday and Friday this week 🏀#HainanClassic pic.twitter.com/M8ohIAHsi1
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) March 17, 2026
We do not know much about Yi’s golf game, but that swing looks pretty smooth. Certainly a lot better than fellow Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming:
Anyway, good luck to Yi this week. If any pickup basketball games break out after we know who we are backing.
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