Yi Jianlian of the New Jersey Nets is being investigated by a Chinese-language magazine that claims he is one of many of the country’s athletes guilty of lying about their age on official documents.
Yi has long been reported in the Chinese media to be older than his records show. Earlier this month, China’s Sports Ministry reported that it found 36 players in China’s professional basketball league whose dates of birth may have been changed.
The December issue of the Chinese-language edition of Sports Illustrated said a reporter for the magazine found records from Yi’s middle-school registration in his hometown in southern China that said he was born in 1984.
His official basketball records say he was born in 1987. He is also listed by the Nets as being born Oct. 27, 1987.
Players’ ages are sometimes altered to make them eligible for youth tournaments.
Lakers’ Farmar sidelined
A doctor has recommended surgery for Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar, who hurt his left knee last week against the Miami Heat. Team doctor Steve Lombardo examined Farmar on Monday in Los Angeles and confirmed the guard has a torn lateral meniscus. The team said Farmar has not decided whether to undergo surgery, and it’s unclear how long he will be out.
The former UCLA star is averaging 7.9 points and 2.4 assists in nearly 20 minutes backing up Derek Fisher.
Celtics’ Davis still ailing
Boston Celtics forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis will sit out at least one more game because of a car accident on the Massachusetts Turnpike that left him with a concussion and whiplash, the team said Monday.
Davis was injured Sunday as he drove to the TD Banknorth Garden for a game against the New York Knicks. He was taken to a hospital and missed the game.
The cause of the accident was not known, but a major snowstorm made driving treacherous throughout the region.
Spurs sign Hairston
The San Antonio Spurs signed guard-forward Malik Hairston from their NBA Development League team Monday. Hairston, out of the University of Oregon, has played 11 games with the Austin Toros, averaging 19.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
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