Chinese basketball player Yi Jianlian arrived in Chicago US, on Thursday. He was en route to Milwaukee, where he will become the fourth Chinese national in the NBA.

Yi Jianlian receives warm welcome when arriving in Chicago, the US, on Thursday, October 4, 2007. [Photo: sina.com]

The Milwaukee Bucks drafted Yi in June.

Yi joins his compatriots Wang Zhizhi, Mengke Bater and Houston Rockets' star center, Yao Ming, in the world's most popular basketball league. It is the NBA's latest effort to expand its market share in China, a country that has seen a soaring percentage of NBA fans in recent years.

At the airport, Yi said he is excited and eager to play in the Bucks' jersey. His first training session with the club is on Friday. He says he will make himself familiar with his new teammates as soon as possible.

A spokesman for Milwaukee described Yi is an impressive player who has the potential to amaze both teammates and rivals.

(CRI October 4, 2007)