廣東宏遠俱樂部昨天宣布，剛滿19歲的宏遠隊易建聯將參加明年的NBA選秀。NBA的官方選秀網站把易建聯列為第11號種子選手，稱“易建聯是繼姚明之后登陸NBA的另一位前景廣闊的中國球員。他在籃球場上體現出一種美國式的風格，速度極快。”據宏遠俱樂部透露，最近幾年陸續有公牛、活塞等隊的球探來東莞看易建聯的比賽。易建聯表示：“這是對自己的一次考驗，也是一次機遇。” 新聞熱詞：“選秀”怎么說

Yi Jianlian China's top young basketball talent Yi Jianlian has finally been given the green light to enter the NBA, after his club agreed to release the player to the 2007 NBA Draft .  Guangdong Baomashi Club officially announced yesterday that Yi could go at the end of the season. "This is a great opportunity and also a test for me," said the 2.10-metre forward. The 19-year-old, dubbed the "next Yao Ming", was linked as an entry for the 2006 draft on two NBA draft websites, but his club would not give him permission. "We did not let Yi join the 2006 draft because it was not the best timing for him," said the club's general-manager Chen Haitao. "But now he is different, he is getting stronger mentally and physically. I think next year will be a big chance for him, so for us, it's time to let him go." The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) is likely to give approval to the move despite a rule that Chinese players are not eligible for the NBA Draft until they turn 22. "We always support our players in joining high-quality overseas leagues," CBA vice-president Hu Jiashi said yesterday. Yi, who averaged 20.5 points and 9.6 rebounds last season, has led Guangdong to three consecutive national championships. This season the club is on top of the standings once again, with 10 wins and one loss. Yi competed at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004 and was a mainstay at the World Championships in Japan in August. Despite the team's limited international success, Yi is highly rated by US scouts. Leading draft website NBADraft.net predicts the teenager will be picked in 11th position next year in a strong draft, Meanwhile probasketball.about.com lists him fourth spot out of 150 prospects, a place higher than NCAA superstar Joakim Noah, who helped Florida University to the national championships this year. "I am not as excited as people expect," said Yi. "It is too early to predict my future in the NBA, because I am still improving all the time. "For me, what I care about most now is winning another title for my club and also getting the gold medal at the Asian Games this year." (China Daily)

Vocabulary:

NBA Draft: NBA選秀 forward: 前鋒 rebound: 籃板球 scout: 球探 （英語點津陳蓓編輯）