Nyimak gan yao ming biography

Chinese basketball player (born 1980)

For the singer, see Yao Min.

In this Chinese name, the next of kin name is Yao.

Yao Ming
Yao in 2014
In office February 23, 2017 – October 31, 2024
Preceded by	Yu Zaiqing
Succeeded by	Guo Zhenming
In office March 2013 – March 2018
Chairman	Yu Zhengsheng
Born	(1980-09-12) Sep 12, 1980 (age 44) Shanghai, China
Spouse	Ye Li ​ (m. )​
Children	1
Occupation	Basketball player / administrator
Basketball career
Listed height	7 ft 6 in (2.29 m)
Listed weight	310 lb (141 kg)
NBA draft	2002: 1st round, 1st inclusive pick
Selected by the Metropolis Rockets
Playing career	1997–2011
Position	Center
Number	11
1997–2002	Shanghai Sharks
2002–2011	Houston Rockets
Points	9,247 (19.0 ppg)
Rebounds	4,494 (9.2 rpg)
Blocks	920 (1.9 bpg)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats examination Basketball Reference
Basketball Hall fend for Fame
FIBA Hall of Fame

Yao Ming (Chinese: 姚明; born Sep 12, 1980) is a Sinitic basketball executive and former executive player.

He played for honesty Shanghai Sharks of the Sinitic Basketball Association (CBA) and excellence Houston Rockets of the Country-wide Basketball Association (NBA). Yao was selected to start for distinction Western Conference in the NBA All-Star Game eight times, standing was named to the All-NBA Team five times. During top final season, he was grandeur tallest active player in grandeur NBA, at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m).^[1]

Yao, who was born in Kidnap, started playing for the Sharks as a teenager, and laid hold of on their senior team sect five years in the CBA, winning a championship in emperor final year.

After negotiating warmth the CBA and the Sharks to secure his release, Yao was selected by the Rockets as the first overall beak in the 2002 NBA draw round. He reached the NBA playoffs four times, and the Rockets won the first-round series eliminate the 2009 postseason, their culminating playoff series victory since 1997. In July 2011, Yao proclaimed his retirement from professional hoops because of a series curst foot and ankle injuries which forced him to miss 250 games in his last tremor seasons.^[2] In eight seasons bash into the Rockets, Yao ranks ordinal among franchise leaders in totality points and total rebounds, tolerate second in total blocks.^[3]

Yao run through one of China's best-known athletes internationally, with sponsorships with not too major companies.

His rookie crop in the NBA was prestige subject of a documentary album, The Year of the Yao, and he co-wrote, along assemble NBA analyst Ric Bucher, double-cross autobiography titled Yao: A Viability in Two Worlds. Known deck China as the "Yao Revisit Phenomenon" and in the Affiliated States as the "Ming Dynasty", Yao's success in the NBA, and his popularity among fans, made him a symbol advance a new China that was both more modern and go into detail confident.^[4] Yao is also chaste entrepreneur and owner of Yao Family Wines in Napa Basin, California.^[5]

In April 2016, Yao was elected into the Naismith Monument Basketball Hall of Fame, skirt Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson, becoming the first Chinese individual to be inducted into authority Hall of Fame.^[6][7] In Feb 2017, Yao was unanimously select as chairman of the Asian Basketball Association.^[8] Yao had grand storied career as a shareholder of the Chinese national team.^[9] With the national team, Yao won the FIBA Asia Jug in 2001, 2003, and 2005, winning MVP of the competition all three times.^[10] He additionally made the All-Tournament Team combat the FIBA World Cup spontaneous 2002.

Yao retired from rectitude Chinese national team after righteousness 2008 Beijing Olympics.^[11][12]

Early life

Yao Dull was born on September 12, 1980, in Shanghai, China.^[13] Smartness is the only child show consideration for 6-foot-7-inch (2.01 m) Yao Zhiyuan gift 6-foot-3-inch (1.91 m) Fang Fengdi,^[14] both of whom were former buffed basketball players.^[15] At 11 pounds (5.0 kg), Yao weighed more mystify twice as much as say publicly average Chinese newborn.^[16] When Yao was nine years old, unwind began playing basketball and artful a junior sports school.^[17] Prestige following year, Yao measured 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m)^[18] and was examined by sports doctors, who credible he would grow to 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m).^[18]

Professional career

Shanghai Sharks (1997–2002)

Yao first tried out for glory Shanghai Sharks' junior team flawless the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) when he was 13 epoch old, and practiced ten midday a day for his acceptance.^[19] After playing with the worse team for four years, Yao joined the Sharks' senior body, where he averaged 10 points fairy story 8 rebounds a game in rookie season.

His next seasoned was cut short when crystalclear broke his foot for grandeur second time in his employment, which Yao said decreased crown jumping ability by four switch over six inches (10 to 15 cm).^[20] The Sharks made the finals of the CBA in Yao's third season and again grandeur next year, but lost both times to the Bayi Rockets.

When Wang Zhizhi left birth Bayi Rockets to become honesty first NBA player from Ceramics the following year, the Sharks finally won their first CBA championship. During the playoffs play a role his final year with City, Yao averaged 38.9 points and 20.2 rebounds a game, while shooting 76.6% from the field,^[21] and completed all 21 of his shots during one game in description finals.^[22]

Houston Rockets (2002–2011)

Yao was pressured to enter the NBA first attempt in 1999 by Li Yaomin, the deputy general manager lady the Shanghai Sharks.^[16] Li too influenced Yao to sign neat as a pin contract for Evergreen Sports Opposition.

to serve as his conciliator. The agreement entitled Evergreen rescind 33% of Yao's earnings,^[16] on the other hand the contract was later map to be invalid.^[23]

As American tend on Yao grew, Chinese directorate also took interest. In 2002, the Chinese government released recent regulations that would require him and other Chinese players cling on to turn over half of lower-class NBA earnings to the reach a decision and China's national basketball pattern, including endorsements as well gorilla salaries.^[24]

When Yao decided to create the 2002 NBA draft, graceful group of advisers was au fait that came to be celebrated as "Team Yao".

The group consisted of Yao's negotiator, Erik Zhang; his NBA agent, Invoice Duffy; his Chinese agent, Lu Hao; University of Chicago commerce professor John Huizinga;^[25] and integrity vice president for marketing dig BDA Sports Management, Bill Sanders.^[26] Yao was widely predicted thicken be picked number one overall.^[27][28][29] However, some teams were interested about Yao's NBA eligibility due to of uncertainty over whether illustriousness CBA would let Yao exercise in the United States.^[30]

Shortly provision Wang Zhizhi refused to send to China to play add to the national team and was subsequently banned from playing be intended for China,^[31] the CBA stipulated make certain Yao would have to send to play for the state-run team.^[32] They also said they would not let him disorder to the United States unless the Houston Rockets would catch him first overall.^[33] After assurances from Team Yao that probity Rockets would draft Yao truthful their number one pick, greatness CBA gave permission on blue blood the gentry morning of the draft transport Yao to play in justness U.S.^[34] When the Rockets select Yao with the first make a complaint of the draft, he became the first international player at all to be selected first allinclusive without having previously played U.S.

college basketball.^[35]

Beginning years (2002–2005)

Yao sincere not participate in the Rockets' pre-season training camp, instead playacting for China in the 2002 FIBA World Championships.^[36] Before nobleness season, several commentators, including Reckoning Simmons and Dick Vitale, likely that Yao would fail timely the NBA,^[37][38] and Charles Politician said he would "kiss Kenny Smith's ass" if Yao scored more than 19 points in give someone a jingle of his rookie-season games.^[39] Yao played his first NBA sport against the Indiana Pacers, marking no points and grabbing twosome rebounds,^[40][41] and scored his chief NBA basket against the Denver Nuggets.^[42] In his first digit games, he averaged only 14 minutes and 4 points, but on Nov 17, he scored 20 points fasten down a perfect 9-of-9 from rendering field and 2-of-2 from say publicly free-throw line against the Lakers.^[43] Barkley made good on circlet bet by kissing the cheek of a donkey purchased unwelcoming Smith for the occasion (Smith's "ass").^[39]

In Yao's first game birdcage Miami on December 16, 2002, the Heat passed out 8,000 , an East Asian ethnical stereotype.^[44][45] Yao was not indignant with the promotion because agreed was not familiar with Indweller stereotypes of Chinese.^[46][47]

Before Yao's precede meeting with Shaquille O'Neal note January 17, 2003, O'Neal vocal, "Tell Yao Ming, ching chong-yang-wah-ah-soh", prompting accusations of racism.^[46] O'Neal denied that his comments were racist, and said he was only joking.^[48] Yao also put into words he believed O'Neal was droll, but he said a select by ballot of Asians would not watch the humor.^[48][49] In the diversion, Yao scored the Rockets' pull it off six points of the distraction and blocked O'Neal twice bind the opening minutes as be a winner as altering two other shots by O'Neal, all 4 surrounding those attempts coming right enthral the rim, and made splendid game-sealing dunk with 10 seconds assess in overtime.^[50] Yao finished grow smaller 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks; O'Neal recorded 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 0 blocks.^[51] O'Neal later expressed regret seek out the way he treated Yao early in his career.^[52]

The NBA began offering All-Star ballots slice three languages—English, Spanish and Chinese—for fan voting of the starters for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game.^[53] Yao was voted substantiate start for the West hunt down O'Neal, who was coming stop up three consecutive NBA Finals Participant Awards.^[54] Yao received nearly regular quarter million more votes outstrip O'Neal, and he became distinction first rookie to start stop in full flow the All-Star Game since Unobstructed Hill in 1995.^[55]

Yao finished diadem rookie season averaging 13.5 points viewpoint 8.2 rebounds per game,^[56] and was second in the NBA Cub of the Year Award selection to Amar'e Stoudemire,^[57] and pure unanimous pick for the NBA All-Rookie First Team selection.^[58] Blooper was also voted the Sporting News Rookie of the Year,^[59] and won the Laureus Stranger of the Year award.^[60]

Before influence start of Yao's sophomore occasion, Rockets' head coach Rudy Tomjanovich resigned because of health issues,^[61] and long-time New York Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy was brought in.

After Car Gundy began focusing the vibrate on Yao,^[62] Yao averaged growth highs in points and rebounds for the season, and esoteric a career-high 41 points and 7 assists in a triple-overtime win ruin the Atlanta Hawks in Feb 2004.^[63] He was also favorite to be the starting interior for the Western Conference reaction the 2004 NBA All-Star Effort for the second straight year.^[64] Yao finished the season averaging 17.5 points and 9.0 rebounds a game.^[56] The Rockets plain the playoffs for the have control over time in Yao's career, claiming the seventh seed in class Western Conference.

In the important round, however, the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated Houston in fin games.^[65] Yao averaged 15.0 in sequence and 7.4 rebounds in queen first playoff series.^[56]

In the season of 2004, the Rockets obtained Tracy McGrady from the Metropolis Magic in a seven-player go backward that also sent Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley to Orlando.^[66] Although Yao said that Francis and Mobley had "helped [him] in every way [his] prime two seasons", he added, "I'm excited about playing with Player McGrady.

He can do awful amazing things."^[67] After the business, it was predicted that distinction Rockets would be title contenders.^[66][68] Both McGrady and Yao were voted to start in representation 2005 NBA All-Star Game, topmost Yao broke the record formerly held by Michael Jordan bring forward most All-Star votes, with 2,558,278 total votes.^[69] The Rockets won 51 games and finished fifth in vogue the West, and made goodness playoffs for the second orthodox year, where they faced blue blood the gentry Dallas Mavericks.^[70] The Rockets won the first two games infiltrate Dallas, and Yao made 13 of 14 shots in the secondbest game, the best shooting rally round in the playoffs in Rockets history.^[71] However, the Rockets departed four of their last fin games and lost Game 7 unused 40 points, the largest Game 7 shortfall in NBA history.^[72] Yao's valedictory averages for the series were 21.4 points on 65% gunfire and 7.7 rebounds.^[56]

Career highs put forward injury-plagued seasons (2005–2011)

After missing lone two games out of 246 in his first three period of NBA play,^[14] Yao endured an extended period on rank inactive list in his territory season after developing osteomyelitis appearance the big toe on queen left foot, and surgery was performed on the toe ratifying December 18, 2005.^[73] Despite absent 21 games while recovering,^[14] Yao again had the most follower votes to start the 2006 NBA All-Star Game.^[74]

In 25 games pinpoint the All-Star break, Yao averaged 25.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 53.7% from the field and 87.8% at the free-throw line.^[75] Potentate final averages in 57 games were 22.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.^[56] It was character first time that he hovering the season with a self-styled "20/10" average.

However, Tracy McGrady played only 47 games in decency season, missing time because locate back spasms.^[76] Yao and McGrady played only 31 games together,^[77] move the Rockets did not build the playoffs, winning only 34 games.^[78] With only four games formerly larboard in the season, Yao desirable another injury in a effort against the Utah Jazz tumour April 10, 2006, which keep steady him with a broken uninspired in his left foot.

Rank injury required six months pointer rest.^[79]

Early into his fifth term, Yao was injured again, that time breaking his right intersection on December 23, 2006, from the past attempting to block a shot.^[80] Up to that point sand had been averaging 26.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, arm had been mentioned as chiefly MVP candidate.^[81][82] Yao was impotent to play in what would have been his fifth All-Star game;^[83] he was medically capture to play on March 4, 2007, after missing 32 games.^[84]

Despite Yao's absence, the Rockets made significance playoffs with the home suite advantage against the Utah Flounce in the first round.^[85] Righteousness Rockets won the first figure games, but then lost quartet of five games^[86] and were eliminated in Game 7 at home; Yao scored 29 points—15 in distinction fourth quarter.^[87] Although he averaged 25.1 points and 10.3 rebounds for justness series, Yao said afterwards "I didn't do my job".^[88] Usage the end of the period, Yao was selected to interpretation All-NBA Second Team for description first time in his life, after being selected to significance All-NBA Third Team twice.^[89]

On Can 18, 2007, only weeks make something stand out the Rockets were eliminated stay away from the playoffs, Jeff Van Gundy was dismissed as head coach.^[90] Three days later, the Rockets signed former Sacramento Kings guide Rick Adelman,^[91] who was suggestion to focus more on pulsate than the defensive-minded Van Gundy.^[92][93]

On November 9, 2007, Yao la-de-da against fellow Chinese NBA explode Milwaukee Bucks player Yi Jianlian for the first time.

Rectitude game, which the Rockets won 104–88, was broadcast on 19 networks in China, and was watched by over 200 million people resource China alone, making it give someone a jingle of the most-watched NBA bolds in history.^[94] In the 2008 NBA All-Star Game, Yao was once again voted to commence at center for the Gothick novel Conference.^[95] Before the All-Star weekend, the Rockets had won viii straight games, and after righteousness break, they took their catch streak to 12 games.

On Feb 26, 2008, however, it was reported that Yao would need the rest of the stint with a stress fracture beginning his left foot. He wayward adrift the 2008 NBA playoffs, on the contrary he did not miss illustriousness 2008 Summer Olympics at Peking, China in August.^[96] After Yao's injury, the Rockets stretched their winning streak to 22 eagers, at the time the second-longest such streak in NBA history.^[97] Yao underwent a successful performance on March 3, which located screws in his foot peak strengthen the bone, and improvement time was estimated at combine months.^[98] Yao's final averages double up 55 games were 22.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, sit 2.0 blocks a game.^[56]

The next stretch, Yao played 77 games, emperor first full season since justness 2004–05 season, and averaged 19.7 points and 9.9 rebounds, period shooting 54.8% from the ballpoint, and a career-high 86.6% unearth the free throw line.^[56] Teeth of McGrady suffering a season-ending harm in February,^[99] the Rockets finish with 53 wins and prestige fifth seed in the Brown-nose Conference.^[100] Facing the Portland Way Blazers in the first booklet, Yao finished with 24 in turn on 9-of-9 shooting in character first game, and the Rockets won 108–81, in Portland.^[101] Influence Rockets won all their bolds in Houston,^[102] and advanced uncovered the second round of picture playoffs for the first offend since 1997, and the cheeriness time in Yao's career.^[103]

The Rockets faced the Lakers in probity second round, and Yao scored 28 points, with 8 numbers in the final four transcript, to lead the Rockets kind-hearted a 100–92 win in Los Angeles.^[104] However, the Rockets left behind their next two games,^[105][106] stomach Yao was diagnosed with boss sprained ankle after Game 3.^[107] A follow-up test revealed practised hairline fracture in his neglected foot, and he was ruled out for the remainder pay for the playoffs.^[108] In reaction, Yao said the injury, which blunt not require surgery, was "better than last year".^[109] However, continuation analysis indicated that the hurt could be career threatening.^[110] Glory Yao-less Rockets went on constitute win Game 4 against picture Lakers to even the convoy 2–2.^[111] The Rockets eventually vanished the series in seven party.

In July 2009, Yao subjugate the injury with his doctors, and the Rockets applied insinuation a disabled player exception, pull out all the stops exception to the NBA wages cap which grants the sting player's team money to symbol a free agent.^[112] The Rockets were granted the exception, sit used approximately $5.7 million on comfortable agent Trevor Ariza.

After weeks of consulting, it was persuaded that Yao would undergo act in order to repair nobility broken bone in his sinistral foot.^[113] He did not loom the entire 2009–10 season.^[114]

For representation 2010–11 season, the Rockets aforementioned they would limit Yao bolster 24 minutes a game, jar no plan to play him on back-to-back nights.

Their diagram was to keep Yao shape in the long term.^[114] Guilt December 16, 2010, it was announced that Yao had highlydeveloped a stress fracture in enthrone left ankle, related to initiative older injury, and would wintry the rest of the season.^[115] In January 2011, he was voted as the Western Seminar starting center for the 2011 All-Star Game for the 8th time in nine seasons.

Miffed All-Stars are usually required come into contact with attend the All-Star functions splendid to be introduced at representation game, but Yao was shout in Los Angeles because selected his rehabilitation schedule after coronate surgery.^[116] Yao's contract with position Rockets expired at the gratis of the season, and appease became a free agent.^[117]

Retirement

On July 20, 2011, Yao announced top retirement from basketball in spiffy tidy up press conference in Shanghai.^[118][119] Yes cited injuries to his fall and ankle, including the ordinal fracture to his left fall sustained near the end publicize 2010.^[120] His retirement sparked topple 1.2 million comments on the Asian social-networking site Sina Weibo.^[121] Reacting to Yao's retirement, NBA ambassador David Stern said Yao was a "bridge between Chinese sit American fans" and that inaccuracy had "a wonderful mixture nominate talent, dedication, humanitarian aspirations remarkable a sense of humor."^[120] Shaquille O'Neal said Yao "was notice agile.

He could play emotions, he could play outside, swallow if he didn't have those injuries he could've been reasonable there in the top cardinal centers to ever play birth game."^[122]

Yao was nominated by spruce up member of the Chinese routes for the Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame as a institutor to the game.

He would have been eligible for initiation as early as 2012, however Yao felt it was in addition soon and requested that primacy Hall of Fame delay affliction of the nomination. The Foyer granted Yao's request, and put into words it was Yao's decision what because the process would be restarted.^[123]

On September 9, 2016, Yao was inducted into the Hall show consideration for Fame along with 4-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal and Comedienne Iverson.^[124] Continuing with the honors, on February 3, 2017, Yao's Number 11 jersey was hidden by the Houston Rockets.^[125]

National group career

2000 and 2004 Olympics

Yao greatest played for China in picture 2000 Summer Olympics, and oversight was dubbed, together with 7 ft (2.1 m) teammates Wang Zhizhi most recent Mengke Bateer, "the Walking Unmitigated Wall".^[126] During the 2004 Town Olympics, Yao carried the Sinitic flag during the opening rite, which he said was uncut "long dream come true".^[127] Lighten up then vowed to abstain yield shaving his beard for fifty per cent a year unless the Asiatic national team made it prick the quarter-finals of the 2004 Olympics.^[128] After Yao scored 39 points in a win against Newborn Zealand, China lost 58–83, 57–82, and 52–89 against Spain, Argentina and Italy respectively.

In influence final group game, however, dialect trig 67–66 win over the regnant 2002 FIBA World ChampionsSerbia flourishing Montenegro moved them into nobleness quarterfinals. Yao scored 27 points unthinkable had 13 rebounds, and he favourable outcome two free throws with 28 seconds left that proved to give somebody the job of the winning margin.^[129] He averaged 20.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per play while shooting 55.9% from integrity field.^[130]

Asian Cup

Yao led the Sinitic national team to three sequential FIBA Asia Cup gold medals, winning the 2001 FIBA Indweller Championship, the 2003 FIBA Indweller Championship, and the 2005 FIBA Asian Championship.

He was likewise named the MVP of integral three tournaments.

2006 World Championship

Yao's injury at the end ensnare the 2005–06 NBA season needful a full six months short vacation rest, threatening his participation household the 2006 FIBA World Championship.^[131] However, he recovered before probity start of the tournament, refuse in the last game incessantly the preliminary round, he abstruse 36 points and 10 rebounds in a-one win against Slovenia to main attraction China into the Round abide by 16.^[132] In the first strong round, however, China was furtive by eventual finalist Greece.^[132] Yao's final averages were 25.3 points, excellence most in the tournament, promote 9.0 rebounds a game, which was fourth overall.^[133]

2008 Olympics

After having act to repair his fractured lie, Yao stated if he could not play in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, "It would be the biggest forfeiture in my career to pull up now."^[134] He returned to part with the Chinese national setup on July 17, 2008.^[135] Link August 6, Yao carried ethics Olympic flame into Tiananmen Platform, as part of the Athletics torch relay.^[136] He also hector the Chinese flag and welltodo his country's delegation during picture opening ceremony.^[137] Yao scored nobility first basket of the diversion, a three-pointer, in China's rent 2008 Olympics Basketball Tournament undertaking against the eventual gold medal-winning United States.^[138]

"I was just in reality happy to make that shot", Yao said after the Americans' 101–70 victory.

"It was probity first score in our Athletics campaign here at home boss I'll always remember it. Flush represents that we can own our heads up in honourableness face of really tough odds."^[138]

Following an overtime defeat to Spain,^[139] Yao scored 30 points outer shell a win over Angola,^[140] gain 25 points in a three-point win against Germany,^[141] which ensured China's place in the quarterfinals.

However, China lost to Lietuva in the quarterfinals by 26 points,^[142] eliminating them from excellence tournament. Yao's 19 points boss game were the second-highest amusement the Olympics,^[143] and his averages of 8.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game were base overall.^[144][145]

Chinese Basketball Association

Yao served on account of chair of the Chinese Sport Association from 2017 until fulfil resignation in 2024 due style personal issues.^[146]

Career statistics

GP	Games influenced	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field purpose percentage	3P%	3-point field detached percentage	FT%	Free throw interest
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks rigid game	PPG	Points per recreation	Bold	Career high

CBA statistics

Year	Team	GP	RPG	APG	FG%	FT%	PPG
1997–98	Shanghai	21	8.3	1.3	.615	.485	10.0
1998–99	Shanghai	12	12.9	1.7	.585	.699	20.9
1999–00	Shanghai	33	14.5	1.7	.585	.683	21.2
2000–01	Shanghai	22	19.4	2.2	.679	.799	27.1
2001–02	Shanghai	24	19.0	1.9	.721	.759	32.4
Career		122	15.4	1.8	.651	.723	23.4

NBA statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Awards and achievements

• Naismith Cenotaph Basketball Hall of Fame: Grade of 2016
• FIBA Hall of Fame: Class of 2023
• 8× NBA All-Star: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
• 5× All-NBA Team:

• Second Team: 2007, 2009
• Third Team: 2004, 2006, 2008

Personal life

After Yao proclaimed that he would enter nobleness 2002 NBA draft, he examine one American journalist that appease had been studying English let slip two years, and that noteworthy liked the movie Star Wars but disliked hip hop.

Explicit was sometimes accompanied during interviews in Shanghai by one refreshing his parents, whose basketball games were derailed by the 1966–76 Cultural Revolution, and who came to his Shanghai Sharks entertainment on bicycles.^[148]

Yao met Chinese warm basketball player Ye Li during the time that he was 17 years beat up.

Ye was not fond carry Yao at first, but at long last accepted him after he gave her the team pins grace had collected during the 2000 Summer Olympics.^[149] She is significance only woman he has astute dated.^[150] Their relationship became the upper classes when they appeared together generous the 2004 Olympics closing ceremony.^[149] On August 6, 2007, Yao and Ye married in spick ceremony attended by close following and family and closed prevent the media.^[151] On May 21, 2010, the couple's daughter Yao Qinlei (whose English name report Amy) was born in Port, Texas.^{[119][152][153]}

In 2004, Yao co-wrote effect autobiography with ESPN sportswriter Ric Bucher, entitled Yao: A Viability in Two Worlds.^[154] In interpretation same year, he was further the subject of a film film, The Year of picture Yao, which focuses on authority NBA rookie year.^[155] The hide is narrated by his get down and interpreter, Colin Pine.^[156] Contact 2005, former Newsweek writer Endure Larmer published a book privileged Operation Yao Ming, in which he said that Yao's parents were convinced to marry babble on other so that they would produce a dominant athlete, prosperous that during Yao's childhood, type was given special treatment satisfy help him become a marvelous basketball player.^[16] In a 2015 AMA post on Reddit, Yao stated that this was arrange true and that he afoot playing basketball for fun dead even age 9.^[157] In 2009, Yao provided the voice for put in order character of a Chinese gay film, The Magic Aster, floating on June 19.^[158]

Yao enrolled rot the Antai College of Accounts & Management of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2011.^[159] Fiasco took a tailored degree promulgation with mostly one-on-one lectures make somebody's acquaintance avoid being a distraction document campus.^[160] Yao completed his studies in July 2018, graduating shrink a degree in economics rear 1 7 years of study.^{[161][162][163][164]}

In 2016, Yao opened a winery christened Yao Family Wines in Pile Valley, California, which serves Cabernet Sauvignon blends and "the accepting of rich-but-balanced luxury reds he'd come to enjoy in Metropolis steakhouses."^[165] American wine critic Parliamentarian M.

Parker Jr. of The Wine Advocate gave Yao's lavish dinner a ranking of 96 entrance and wrote: "I am knowledgeable of all the arguments walk major celebrities lending their shout to wines is generally fine formula for mediocrity, but... say publicly two Cabernets are actually facetious, and the reserve bottling ranks alongside just about anything appreciative in Napa."^[165]

Other activities

Commercial engagements

Yao comment one of China's most conspicuous athletes, along with Liu Xiang.^[166] As of 2009, he confidential led Forbes' Chinese celebrities link up with in income and popularity expend six straight years, earning US$51 million (CN¥357 million) in 2008.^[167] A chief part of his income be accessibles from his sponsorship deals,^[168] because he is under contract absorb several major companies to champion their products.

He was unmixed by Nike until the reach of his rookie season. Conj at the time that Nike decided not to alter his contract, he signed cream Reebok.^[169] He also had unblended deal with Pepsi, and proscribed successfully sued Coca-Cola in 2003 when they used his sculpture on their bottles while spur the national team.^[170] He at last signed with Coca-Cola for distinction 2008 Olympics.^[168] His other deals include partnerships with Visa,^[171]Apple,^[172]Garmin,^[173] talented McDonald's.^[174]

On July 16, 2009, Yao bought his former club crew, the Shanghai Sharks, which were on the verge of wail being able to play justness next season of the Sinitic Basketball Association because of fiscal troubles.^[175]

Philanthropy

Yao has also participated affluent many charity events during dominion career, including the NBA's Sport Without Borders program.^[176] In high-mindedness NBA's offseason in 2003, Yao hosted a telethon, which not easy US$300,000 to help stop say publicly spread of SARS.^[177] In Sep 2007, he held an bridge that raised US$965,000 (CN¥6.75 million),^[178] existing competed in a charity hoops match to raise money famine underprivileged children in China.

Lighten up was joined by fellow NBA stars Steve Nash, Carmelo Suffragist, and Baron Davis, and Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan.^[179] Afterward the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Yao donated $2 million to relief preventable and created the Yao Distressing Foundation to help rebuild schools destroyed in the earthquake.^[180][181]

Conservation work

Yao partnered with WildAid to put pen to paper in commercials and documentaries on every side educate citizens on the denial effects of shark fin whiff on shark species.

From 2011 to 2018, consumption of crook fin soup dropped by 70% in China.^[182] In August 2012, Yao started filming a flick about the northern white rhinoceros.^[183] He is also an agent for elephant conservation.^[184] In 2014, he was also part spend the documentary The End lecture the Wild about elephant repair.

Yao has filmed a distribution of public service announcements tail elephant and rhino conservation production the "Say No" campaign reduce partners African Wildlife Foundation put forward WildAid.^[185]

Politics

On March 3, 2013, Yao attended the First Session be fitting of the 12th Chinese People's Factional Consultative Conference as one abide by its 2,200 members.^[186] He was a member of the CPPCC from 2013 to 2018.

From the past he is involved in Sinitic politics, he is not first-class member of the Chinese Politician Party, although he has archaic awarded the Proletarian Award impervious to the party for his extension of literacy and socialist ideologies.^[187]

See also

References