Chinese Basketball Association star Yi Jianlian, of the Guangdong Southern Tigers, is one of many international players who are eligible for the 2007 NBA Draft and CCTV, China’s national TV station, will be on-site to produce a live programme featuring Yi.
This marks the first time CCTV, a 20-year NBA TV partner, will produce a live programme on-site at the Draft. Guangdong TV will be televising the Draft for the first time.
Another expected first round pick with international appeal is Joakim Noah, a two-time NCAA Champion with the Florida Gators and son of French tennis legend Yannick Noah. Fans in France will receive comprehensive NBA Draft coverage including a special feature on Canal+France.
Other top international prospects include Tiago Splitter (Brazil), Rudy Fernandez, brother of WNBA rookie guard Marta Fernandez of the Los Angeles Sparks, and Marc Gasol, brother of Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol (Spain), Marco Belinelli (Italy) and Petteri Koponen (Finland). Players from countries such as Croatia, Turkey, Bosnia, Latvia, Serbia, Australia, Ukraine and Lithuania have also been mentioned as potential draft picks. In the 2006 NBA Draft, 17 international players were selected.
