Rookie Sun Yue from China was assigned by the Los Angeles Lakers to the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League on Friday, it was announced by Lakers' general manager Mitch Kupchak in Los Angeles.

According to the press release published on Lakers' website, Sun struggled with his jumper, hitting 4-of-15 attempts in his debut for D-Fenders Friday afternoon at Staples Center. But he did manage to score 11 points with seven assists, two blocks and three turnovers in 44 minutes of action.

"For a guy that hasn't played more than seven or eight minutes in a game all year, I thought his conditioning was good, he fit right in, he had a bunch of assists and it looked like his teammates enjoyed playing with him," Kupchak said of the Chinese. "He didn't shoot the ball well, but we're just concerned with him getting some game time to develop his game."

"This is a great opportunity for Sun to gain additional playing time while still being able to continue on the NBA level,” said head coach Phil Jackson. “Your rookie year is a learning process and the more time you get on the court, the better you will be for it in the long run. I am impressed with Sun’s basketball talents and am hopeful that he will play for the Lakers for many years to come."

Sun was selected by the Lakers in the second round (40th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft and he signed with the Lakers in 2008 shortly after he represented China in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

He made his NBA debut on December 7 with four points on 2-of-3 shooting in five minutes and has entered 10 games with the Lakers this season, totaling six points, two assists, a steal and a blocked shot in 28 minutes.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2009)