Yi Jianlian , the last Chinese - born player in the NBA , leaves the Dallas Mavericks . He has signed a one - year contract with China 's Guangdong Tigers . NBA star Dwayne Wade told CNN he still trails soccer as the world 's favorite sport . The NBA 's profile in Asia has been boosted by the emergence of Jeremy Lin , a Taiwanese American who shot to global fame with a string of standout performances for the New York Knicks during the 2011-12 season . Jeremy Lin of the Houston Rockets has boosted the NBA 's Asian profile .
Yi Jianlian , the last Chinese - born player in the NBA , leaves the Dallas Mavericks . He has signed a one - year contract with China 's Guangdong Tigers . NBA star Dwayne Wade told CNN he still trails soccer as the world 's favorite sport . Jeremy Lin of the Houston Rockets has boosted the NBA 's Asian profile .