Guangdong Southern Tigers lure national star back to town after poor season in Dallas

After opening last season in the Chinese Basketball Association with his home club, the Guangdong Southern Tigers, during the NBA lockout, the backbone of the Chinese national team, Yi Jianlian, will return to play in the domestic league again for the entire 2012-2013 season.

"Playing basketball is always the most important thing for me - anywhere on any stage," Yi said on his micro-blog after flying to Beijing from New York on Saturday. "It's been part of my life. I am really looking forward to the new season at home," he said.