Today 2 years ago: Yi Jianlian announced his retirement on his personal social media, ending his 21-year basketball career

2 years ago today, Yi Jianlian's personal social media announced his retirement, ending his 21-year basketball career.

The original text read: "Hello everyone! I am Yi Jianlian.

" Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, basketball has accompanied me for 21 years. After careful consideration, today, I decided to officially bid farewell to my basketball career.

"Along the way, I sincerely thank my most beloved family, most beloved leader Bole, every coach, teammate, opponent, sponsor, partners and brokerage team. I would like to thank the Chinese men's basketball team, this sacred name for me. Whenever I wear the national team robe for playing for the country, I can feel the pride brought to me by a strong motherland. I also especially thank the Guangdong men's basketball team for their years of training and support, which gave me the opportunity to win so many honors on behalf of my hometown and provided me with the opportunity to go to a bigger stage.

"Farewell is not the end, but a new beginning.

"I will miss you very much, and will continue to move forward to welcome a new chapter.

"Goodbye, my favorite basketball:

"Thank you for giving me this wonderful journey of 21 years, with passion, joy, regret, tears, reliable companions, and respectable opponents. This is an unforgettable and precious experience in this life.

"It has nothing to do with victory or defeat, it is all love.

"Goodbye, my dearest fan friend:

"From the league rookie to the team's big brother, no matter the peak and trough, you have accompanied me without regrets, giving me great energy and touch, and accompanying me through every glorious moment and darkest moment. Teach me to greet the applause with a smile and face doubts calmly. All this you gave me is actually far more than my efforts.

"Finally, I would like to thank the No. 9 rookie for 21 years of persistence, and my original intention has not been forgotten, and my dream has always been there."

Yi Jianlian was born on October 27, 1987 in Heshan City, Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province, China. He has played for the NBA Bucks, Nets, Wizards, Mavericks, and CBA Guangdong teams in his career. On December 29, 2023, Yi Jianlian's jersey retirement ceremony was held at the Dongguan Basketball Center.