The Nets think of second-year forward Yi Jianlian as a rookie because of his age and the relatively little basketball experience he has under his belt.

"He's really young and has not played a lot of basketball. So for me ? because last year he got hurt and missed almost half the year ? he's a rookie," Nets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe told HoopsWorld.

"I think he is sort of growing into his role with the team."

Yi missed six weeks with a broken finger earlier this season.