Through the decades, a total of six Chinese players have had stints in the NBA.

Yi Jianlian remains the second most successful of those after signing for the Milwaukee Bucks as the sixth overall pick in the 2007 draft.

Over the next five years, Yi split his time in the NBA between the Bucks, the New Jersey Nets, the Washington Wizards, and the Dallas Mavericks, before returning to the Guangdong Southern Tigers in 2012.

He briefly relaunched his NBA career in 2016 with the Los Angeles Lakers, but requested to be released prior to the regular season due to a lack of playing time.

During his time with the Lakers, he told Tencent how the NBA humbled and then improved him as a player.

"The NBA is a super-competitive stage, full of competition every night which obligates me to improve myself constantly, be more aggressive, both on offense and defense," he said.

Current Team China center Zhou Qi tried to emulate Yao and Yi, but failed to impress in a short stint with the Rockets and left the NBA in the 2018-19 season.

While fans are eagerly awaiting the next Yao or Yi to emerge, Kyle Anderson's naturalization and recruitment by Team China has sparked renewed enthusiasm for the league.

Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Anderson, who adopted the Chinese name Li Kaier, competed with China at the FIBA World Cup. Despite the team's disappointing results at the tournament, Anderson has enjoyed popularity with fans thanks to the way he has embraced his Chinese heritage and his commitment to the national team.

Wowed by Wemby

With 7-foot-4 French phenom Victor Wembanyama seemingly destined for NBA superstardom in his rookie year, observers have been quick to compare the San Antonio Spurs center to Yao.

Yao says he's been impressed by Wembanyama, but is reluctant to draw parallels between his career and the young Frenchman's.

"I never see a big guy like, you know, (who) can do such a thing like he does," said Yao, who stands two inches (five centimeters) taller than Wembanyama.

"In a scout report where we say, 'This guy is — how old he is, you know, his height, his wingspan and his capabilities', and 'He looks like, let's say, a former somebody', you know. For him it's like, I don't know... no comparing."

Yao also shied away from offering advice to Wembanyama, who enters the NBA at a time of unprecedented international participation in the league.

"He has his own expedition to go (on)," said Yao, who was in New York last week as part of a some 30-person Chinese delegation. "And my experience probably from 20 years ago, I'm not sure it's still fit for today. So I just wish him good luck."

Wembanyama scored 15 points for the Spurs in his much-anticipated NBA debut last Wednesday but Luka Doncic's triple-double spoiled his start as Dallas beat the Spurs 126-119.

Wembanyama starred in his second match, against the Rockets on Friday. He made the tying basket with 20 seconds left in regulation, the opening basket in overtime and finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds as Spurs won 126-122.

China Daily - Agencies