(File photo of Yi Jianlian. Source: sina.com)

The China Basketball Association league champions made the announcement Thursday, saying the club fully supports the player's further development.

A senior club official says the teenage player need to sharpen his nails in games against stronger rivals. The NBA, the world's highest basketball league, can provide such an environment.

Yi had been listed in this year's draft but he turned down the offer.

He would become the fourth Chinese player in the NBA.

Wang Zhizhi became the first Asian in the American league in 2001, joining the Dallas Mavericks.

Menk Bateer joined the Denver Nuggets in 2002 as a free player. He later won an NBA title with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003, becoming the first and only Asian to win such an honor to date.

Yao Ming, the most famous Chinese player in the world, was the first pick of NBA draft in 2002. He plays for the Houston Rockets.