The retired Chinese basketball legend, Yi Jianlian, has been embroiled in a sex scandal involving the solicitation of a transgender woman, allegedly paying her US$1,500.

The controversy has taken mainland social media by storm and reignited discussions about previous sex scandals involving mainland celebrities.

Yi Jianlian, a 36-year-old father of two married to model Jing Ling, played for the Milwaukee Bucks, the New Jersey Nets, the Washington Wizards and the Dallas Mavericks in a glittering career between 2007 and 2012.

The scandal surfaced on October 17 when purported pictures and WeChat messages were exposed, showing Yi engaging with escort services involving a transgender woman in a hotel in China.

The woman involved claims to have had sexual relations with Yi, allegedly receiving US$1,500 for her services. She also shared a semi-naked photo and an ID card, which she claims belong to Yi.