CHN/USA - Yi joins Mavs after two-game NBDL stint

AUBURN HILLS (NBA) - Yi Jianlian was so good in two games with the D-League's Texas Legends that the Dallas Mavericks have decided to add the Chinese big man to their squad.

Yi joined the Legends last week and averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks in 36.5 minutes.

The 24-year-old will be with the Mavs, who have struggled early in their title defense, when they play at the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday evening.

Donnie Nelson, the Mavs’ president of basketball operations and co-owner of the Legends, watched Yi in both games and believes he’s ready to help Dallas.

"He's really a good athlete, he has good hands and he's just a nice, versatile big man for us," said Nelson, who has worked in the past as an advisor for China’s national team.

"He was working through an injury and needed to play five-on-five.

"It was a nice little two-game stint. That's what we expected. He's moving well and he's pain-free."

The Mavs may prove to be Yi's best opportunity to show that he can be a solid player in the NBA because of the talent and winning tradition in Dallas.

He broke into the league with Milwaukee and then played for New Jersey and Washington.

Yi will be China's leading player at the London Olympics.

FIBA