Yi says yay, Yao says maybe for Asian romp

New Jersey Nets power forward Yi Jianlian will return to China to compete at the Asian Championships in August, chief officials from China's basketball governing body have confirmed.

Rumors have been gaining traction in recent weeks that Yi and Houston Rockets all-star center Yao Ming may skip the Tianjin-hosted event, much to the dismay of fans hoping to see the stars shine on home soil.

"Yi will definitely join the national team for the Asian Championships," said Hu Jiashi, an official at the Basketball Administrative Center. "I have never heard that he might not attend."