Sun Yue ( ; born November 6, 1985) is a Chinese former professional basketball player. He won an List of NBA champions, NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009.

Professional career

Beijing Olympians (2002–2008)

Sun Yue signed his first professional contract with Chinese Basketball Association side Beijing Olympians in 2002 at the age of 17. In 2004, Sun was selected to the Chinese national under-20 team, but when Beijing refused to release him to play, the team was banned from playing in the Chinese Basketball Association. After touring in Taiwan, the team moved to play in the American Basketball Association (2000–), American Basketball Association. In Sun's first season in the American Basketball Association, he scored 9.5 points per game and seven rebounds per game with 6.7 assists per game. Sun also had his first triple-double of his career with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists and was named to the All-ABA second team. In the following season, Sun improved his numbers, making the All-ABA first team with 13.5 points per game and six rebounds per game with 10.5 assists per game.

Los Angeles Lakers (2008–2009)

After originally entering the 2006 NBA draft, 2006 NBA Draft but subsequently withdrawing, Sun decided to enter the 2007 NBA Draft and was taken by the Los Angeles Lakers as the 40th overall pick. With Sun being drafted alongside Yi Jianlian that year, it marked the first time in NBA draft history that two China-born players were drafted in the same year. That feat would not be repeated until 2016 NBA draft, 2016. It would also be the first time in modern NBA history that a Chinese basketball player would be drafted outside of the Chinese Basketball Association, CBA. However, Sun stayed with the Beijing Olympians for another year before signing with Los Angeles in August 2008. Only a few days after his arrival in the United States, Sun suffered from a bout with mononucleosis and had to be hospitalized. After recovering from his illness, Sun finally made his debut on 7 December 2008 against the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring four points in five minutes of play.Los Angeles Lakers Where Are They Now?: Catching Up with Sun Yue
. ''Bleacher Report.'' May 29, 2012. Sun played in a total of ten regular season games and averaged 2.8 minutes and 0.6 points per game before being assigned to the Lakers' National Basketball Development League, D-League affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders. He played six games with the team, averaging 0.7 points and 0.2 assists per game. Sun then suffered a left ankle sprain during practice with the D-Fenders and missed the remaining D-League games. Sun eventually recovered and traveled with the Lakers as a member of their playoff roster, but he was not activated. Since he was a member of the team when the Lakers ultimately won their championship, he did receive a ring and was crowned as an NBA champion. He is the first ethnic Chinese player to win an NBA championship. Following the death of Kobe Bryant in 2020, Sun posted a tribute to Bryant on his Sina Weibo, Weibo account, writing: "After I came to the Lakers, I was lucky to be your teammate. This is the dream of many people." Sun was waived by Los Angeles on 31 July 2009.

Return to the Olympians (2009–2013)

Sun joined the New York Knicks, but was waived on 7 October 2009, before the next season started, due to a stress fracture in his knee. He did not play for two seasons until returning to the CBA in the 2013–14 Chinese Basketball Association season, 2013–14 season, where he yet again played for the Beijing Olympians.

Beijing Ducks (2013–2017)

After playing several more seasons with the Beijing Olympians (remaining with the club until its eventual disbanding in 2013), Sun then signed with the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association in 2013. He played a vital role in helping Beijing win their second CBA championship title during the 2013-14 season. Not only that, but he also provided a useful role in helping Beijing repeat as champions a year later.

Beijing Royal Fighters (2019–2021)

Sun joined the Beijing Royal Fighters in 2019. In October 2021, he retired at age 35.NBA champion Sun Yue retires on eve of Chinese basketball season
Jonathan White (South China Morning Post), 16 October 2021. Accessed 28 October 2021.

National team career

Sun competed in the NBA Summer League with the China men's national basketball team, Chinese national basketball team in the summer of 2007. This was seen as a chance for the Chinese national team to gain further experience against international competition in preparation for the Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament, 2008 Summer Olympics, which Sun would also compete in. He also participated in the 2007 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup and played a vital role in the wins against Venezuela national basketball team, Venezuela and New Zealand national basketball team, New Zealand. Sun earned a silver medal in the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship after China finished as runners-up in the tournament. He earned a gold medal in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship as his side won against Jordan national basketball team, Jordan.

Personal life

According to Chinese media Baidu Sports, Sun presented his NBA championship ring to his girlfriend Chen Lu when he proposed. According to the Chinese model, Sun "sees the ring as his highest honour and most prized possession".

Legacy

Sun has been one of only two players to become champion of both the National Basketball Association, NBA and the Chinese Basketball Association, CBA; the other was Eric Moreland.

Career statistics

CBA statistics

NBA statistics

Regular season

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References

External links

Profile
at Eurobasket.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Sun, Yue 1985 births Living people Asian Games gold medalists for China Asian Games medalists in basketball ABA All-Star Game players Basketball players at the 2006 Asian Games Basketball players at the 2008 Summer Olympics Basketball players at the 2010 Asian Games Basketball players at the 2012 Summer Olympics Basketball players from Hebei Beijing Ducks players Beijing Olympians players Chinese expatriate basketball people in the United States Chinese men's basketball players Los Angeles D-Fenders players Los Angeles Lakers draft picks Los Angeles Lakers players Medalists at the 2006 Asian Games Medalists at the 2010 Asian Games National Basketball Association players from China Olympic basketball players of China People from Cangzhou Shooting guards Small forwards 2006 FIBA World Championship players 2010 FIBA World Championship players