Four-time Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Domestic MVP Yi Jianlian has arrived in Los Angeles, California ahead of his upcoming NBA comeback on Friday.

Yi, 28, who recently signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, had some friends waiting for him outside the terminal building of the LA International Airport.

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According to Xinhua, Yi did not publicly announce his flight information and simply traveled from China to the United States. However, many people at the airport managed to recognize the Chinese forward and took the chance to take pictures with the basketball superstar.

Ahead of the 2016-2017 NBA preseason in early October, the two-time FIBA Asia Championship MVP would begin his training and practice with the Western Conference team.

"I will try my best. I hope I will have a good season, good performance, and help Lakers win more games," Yi said.

After an outstanding individual performance at the Rio Olympics, Yi signed a contract with the Lakers in August.

"We're excited to have a player of his worldwide accomplishments," Lakers' General Manager Mitch Kupchak said. "We look forward to bringing him to training camp and hopefully having him make an impact on our team."

According to Shanghai Daily, Yi, who was the sixth overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft and selected by the Milwaukee Bucks, played for the New Jersey Nets, the Washington Wizards, and the Dallas Mavericks before coming back to China to re-join the Guangdong Hongyuan in 2012.

Yi led Guangdong to four CBA titles, claiming the championship crowns in years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2013. He is an eight-time CBA All-Star.

He also played for the country's national team, having represented China at the Olympics in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. In the Rio Olympics, Yi led the Chinese team with 20.4 points and 6.6 rebounds. 

TagsYi Jianlian, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, chinese basketball association, Rio Olympics 2016