17th October 2024 – (Beijing) Yi Jianlian, one of China’s most prominent basketball figures and a former NBA player, is currently at the centre of a scandal following the leak of explicit images and personal identification documents online, suggesting his involvement in solicitation.
At 36, Yi, who retired after the 2022/23 season, has had a distinguished career, trailing only behind Yao Ming in fame within Chinese basketball circles. His accolades include four Olympic appearances and leading China to three Asian Cup victories, earning MVP honours twice. In the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), Yi has celebrated seven championships, was a five-time regular season MVP, a three-time finals MVP, and has been selected for the All-Star game 14 times. He is second in all-time scoring for the CBA with 12,781 points and leads in rebounds.
The scandal surfaced when netizens shared images of a naked man resembling Yi in a hotel room, accompanied by an identification card that matched his details. Screenshots from a mobile chat also showed a transaction of $1,500, purportedly for solicitation. Yi has yet to respond to these allegations.
The incident quickly spread across social media, with the evidence presented leading many to consider the proof as conclusive, despite the official status of the claims remaining unverified. Further rumours have emerged suggesting Yi’s involvement with a transgender individual.
Yi, a towering figure at 7 feet tall, has a well-documented personal life. He married Jing Ling, a model he met during his university days, and the couple has two children. This scandal poses a significant threat to Yi’s reputation, which until now has been that of a celebrated athlete and a family man.
