Illustration:Liu Xiangya/Global Times

Legendary Chinese basketball player Yi Jianlian announced his retirement on Tuesday night via social media, marking an end to a 21-year stellar career and the finale of a golden generation of Chinese basketball.

Yi, 38, said in his personal statement that bidding farewell to his professional career heralds a new start as he embraces a new chapter in his life. Yi said he was proud of fighting for the Chinese national team and expressed his gratitude to his club and fans.

Yi is the last of 12 players who participated in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games to retire from basketball. The golden generation, which also features Yao Ming and Wang Zhizhi, helped China win 8th place at the Beijing Games, a feat that has not been repeated in international competitions.

In the 2007 NBA draft, Yi was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks as the sixth overall pick. He also had short stints with the New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks. 

Independent of his five seasons in the NBA, he spent his entire career in his hometown club Guangdong Southern Tigers, leading the team to seven championships in the Chinese Basketball League. He is the all-time leading rebounder and holds the record for the most career double-doubles in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). 

The Guangdong club said on Wednesday that it fully understands and respects Yi Jianlian's decision to retire, and will hold a grand retirement ceremony for him.

He represented China at the Olympic Games in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 and played for the national team at the FIBA World Championships in 2006 and 2010 as well as the 2019 World Cup.

As a member of the golden generation, the 14-time CBA all star has witnessed the ebb and flow of Chinese basketball during his career. 

Zhou He, a Beijing-based basketball commentator, told the Global Times that Yi has been the fulcrum of the national team in the past decade and it's a deliberate decision after experiencing peaks and troughs.

"Physically and mentally, Yi is ready to turn to the next chapter. He has accomplished a successful and illustrious career with his dominant performances," said Zhou.

"Yi is the most self-disciplined basketball player I have ever seen over these years. This is what young players should learn from him," Zhou said. 

When Yao Ming and Wang Zhizhi retired, Yi was the heir to take over the baton and lead the national team. The power forward did his best but was helpless in seeing the team sink into new depths. With Yi gone, who is capable of taking over the baton of leadership now?

During the 2019 basketball world cup hosted by China, the topic of "feeling sorry for Yi" began trending on social media as fans were disappointed by the lack of support from Yi's teammates. China failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games during the tournament. 

In the ongoing basketball world cup, China was thrashed by European heavyweights Serbia 63-105 in the opening group game and is on the brink of elimination after losing to South Sudan 69-89 on Monday. 

The lackluster performance has sparked debate about the predicament of Chinese basketball.

Wang Dazhao, a Beijing-based sports commentator, told the Global Times that no one is able to play the role of Yi in the current national team.

"It's a bit of a pity hearing about his retirement. It will take a long time for Chinese basketball to rebound from the slump," Wang noted.

The expert also said that we need to keep our feet on the ground and work hard to improve our talent development mechanisms.

The topic of Yi's retirement has gone viral on Chinese social media such as the Twitter-like Sina Weibo. A lot of fans and netizens have expressed their sorrow.

Fu Minya, a die-hard fan who has been following Yi the basketball star  since 2004, told the Global Times that it's a sad day for her and for Chinese basketball.

"I cried when I heard the news. I will go to his retirement ceremony to bid Yi farewell," said Fu.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn