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Yi Jianlian takes NBA Rookie Of the Month

Milwaukee Bucks forward rookie Yi Jianlian of China was named the 2007 December month’s NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the month. Yi Jianlian is a 7-footer (2.12m) drafted sixth pick the Bucks and has averaged 12.1 points and 6.6 rebounds for the last month. In season, he is averaging second among rookies in points (11.0), third in rebounds (6.1), seventh in assists (0.9) first in field goal percentage (47.1), third in free throw percentage (80.0), fourth in blocks (1.1) and third in minutes (28.3) as of now.

On consecutive Saturdays in December, Yi produced career-highs in points and tallied his first career double-double. Against Minnesota on December 15, Yi was 9-14 from the field on his way to 22 points and seven rebounds in a win over the Timberwolves. The following Saturday he poured in 29 points (14-17 FG) to go along with 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and a blocked shot as the Bucks defeated the Bobcats 103-99. Over his last 10 games, Yi has put up 14.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots. He hit 54.1 percent of his field goals and 88.5 percent of his free throws in that span.