Yao Ming facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yao Ming
姚明
Yao in 2014
President of the Chinese Basketball Association
In office February 23, 2017 – October 31, 2024
Preceded by	Yu Zaiqing
Succeeded by	Guo Zhenming
Member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (12th)
In office March 2013 – March 2018
Chairman	Yu Zhengsheng
Personal details
Born	(1980-09-12) September 12, 1980 (age 45) Shanghai, China
Spouse	Ye Li ​ (m. 2007)​
Children	1
Occupation	Basketball player / administrator
Yao Ming Personal information Listed height 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) Listed weight 310 lb (141 kg) Career information NBA Draft 2002 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall Selected by the Houston Rockets Pro career 1997–2011 Career history 1997–2002 Shanghai Sharks 2002–2011 Houston Rockets Career highlights and awards 8× NBA All-Star (2003–2009, 2011) 2× All-NBA Second Team (2007, 2009) 3× All-NBA Third Team (2004, 2006, 2007) NBA All-Rookie First Team (2003) No. 11 retired by Houston Rockets CBA MVP (2001) CBA champion (2002) CBA Finals MVP (2001) 3× CBA rebounding leader (2000–2002) 3× CBA blocks leader (2000–2002) 3× FIBA Asia Cup MVP (2001, 2003, 2005) Career NBA statistics Points 9,247 (19.0 ppg) Rebounds 4,494 (9.2 rpg) Blocks 920 (1.9 bpg) Medals Men's basketball Representing  China FIBA Asia Cup Gold 1999 Fukuoka Gold 2001 Shanghai Gold 2003 Harbin Gold 2005 Doha Asian Games Silver 2002 Busan Universiade Games Silver 2001 Beijing East Asian Games Gold 2001 Osaka

Yao Ming
Yao's name in Chinese characters
Chinese	姚明
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Yáo Míng Bopomofo ㄧㄠˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ Gwoyeu Romatzyh Yau Ming Wade–Giles Yao2 Ming2 Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Yìuh Mìhng Jyutping jiu4 ming4 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Iâu Bêng

Yao Ming (Chinese: 姚明; born September 12, 1980) is a famous Chinese basketball executive and former professional player. He became a global sports star, known for his incredible height of 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m) and his skills on the court. Yao played for the Shanghai Sharks in China before joining the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for his entire nine-year career.

Yao was chosen to start in the NBA All-Star Game eight times, showing how popular he was with fans. He was also named to the All-NBA Team five times. After his playing career, Yao continued to contribute to basketball. He served as the President of the Chinese Basketball Association from 2017 until October 2024.

His journey from Shanghai to the NBA made him a symbol of modern China. Yao's success helped bridge cultures and inspired many young athletes around the world. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016, a huge honor for any basketball player.

Early Life and Big Dreams

Yao Ming was born in Shanghai, China, on September 12, 1980. His parents, Yao Zhiyuan and Fang Fengdi, were both tall former professional basketball players. Yao was a big baby, weighing 11 pounds (5.0 kg) at birth.

He started playing basketball when he was nine years old. He attended a special junior sports school to develop his skills. Doctors predicted he would grow to be very tall, about 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m).

Starting His Professional Journey

Yao first tried out for the Shanghai Sharks' junior team when he was 13. He practiced for many hours each day to earn his spot. After four years with the junior team, he joined the Sharks' main team.

In his first season, he averaged 10 points and 8 rebounds per game. He faced a setback when he broke his foot, which affected his jumping ability. The Sharks reached the CBA finals twice but lost both times. In his final year with Shanghai, the Sharks won their first CBA championship. Yao played amazingly, averaging 38.9 points and 20.2 rebounds during the playoffs.

Becoming a Houston Rocket

Yao decided to enter the 2002 NBA draft. A group of advisors, called "Team Yao," helped him. Many believed he would be the first player chosen overall. The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) had conditions for Yao to play in the United States. They required him to play for the Chinese national team and for the Houston Rockets to pick him first.

The Rockets chose Yao as the first overall pick in the draft. This made him the first international player ever selected first without playing U.S. college basketball. It was a historic moment for both Yao and the NBA.

Rookie Season and Early Success

Yao played his first NBA game in October 2002. Some experts doubted he would succeed, but he quickly proved them wrong. In one early game, he scored 20 points, showing his talent.

A notable moment was his first game against superstar Shaquille O'Neal. Yao showed great skill, blocking O'Neal's shots and scoring crucial points. O'Neal later expressed respect for Yao.

The NBA offered All-Star ballots in three languages, including Chinese. Fans loved Yao, and he was voted to start for the Western Conference in the 2003 NBA All-Star Game. He was the first rookie to start in the All-Star Game since 1995.

Yao prepares to shoot a free throw with John Stockton in the background

Yao finished his rookie season averaging 13.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. He was a unanimous pick for the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He also won the Sporting News Rookie of the Year award.

Yao (fourth from left) standing with the Sophomores team during the 2004 Rookie Challenge game.

Building a Strong Team

Before Yao's second season, Jeff Van Gundy became the Rockets' head coach. Van Gundy focused the offense on Yao, who then averaged career highs in points and rebounds. He scored a career-high 41 points in a game in February 2004. He was voted to start in the 2004 NBA All-Star Game for the second year.

Yao finished the season averaging 17.5 points and 9.0 rebounds. The Rockets made the playoffs for the first time in Yao's career. However, they were eliminated in five games by the Los Angeles Lakers.

In the summer of 2004, the Rockets acquired Tracy McGrady in a big trade. Many predicted the Rockets would become championship contenders. Both McGrady and Yao were voted to start in the 2005 NBA All-Star Game. Yao even broke a record for the most All-Star votes. The Rockets won 51 games and made the playoffs again. They faced the Dallas Mavericks and won the first two games. However, they lost the series in seven games.

Facing Challenges: Injuries and Triumphs

Yao signed a new five-year contract in 2005. He had been very healthy, missing only two games in his first three years. However, in his fourth season, he developed a toe injury and needed surgery. He missed 21 games but still received the most fan votes for the 2006 NBA All-Star Game.

In his fifth season, Yao averaged a career-high 25 points per game.

After the All-Star break, Yao played exceptionally well, averaging 25.7 points and 11.6 rebounds. He finished the season averaging 22.3 points and 10.2 rebounds, his first "20/10" season. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken bone in his left foot with only four games left, requiring six months of rest.

Early in his fifth season, Yao broke his right knee in December 2006. He had been averaging 26.8 points and was considered for the MVP award. He missed 32 games and could not play in the All-Star game.

Despite Yao's absence, the Rockets made the playoffs. Yao returned for the playoffs, but the team was eliminated in Game 7. Yao was selected to the All-NBA Second Team for the first time. In May 2007, Rick Adelman became the new head coach.

Yao advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the only time in his career in 2009.

Yao playing against Gilbert Arenas

On November 9, 2007, Yao played against fellow Chinese NBA player Yi Jianlian. This game was watched by over 200 million people in China. Yao was again voted to start in the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. In February 2008, Yao suffered a stress fracture in his left foot, missing the rest of the season. He underwent successful surgery.

Without Yao, the Rockets went on an incredible 22-game winning streak, one of the longest in NBA history. Yao recovered in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He finished the season averaging 22.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 55 games.

In the next season, Yao played 77 games, his healthiest season since 2005. He averaged 19.7 points and 9.9 rebounds. The Rockets finished with 53 wins and made the playoffs. They defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, advancing to the second round for the first time in Yao's career.

The Rockets then faced the Lakers. Yao scored 28 points in a win in Los Angeles. However, he was diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his left foot after Game 3, ending his playoffs. This injury was very serious. The Rockets eventually lost the series in seven games.

Yao missed the entire 2009–10 season to recover from surgery on his left foot. For the 2010–11 season, the Rockets limited his playing time to keep him healthy. Unfortunately, in December 2010, he developed another stress fracture in his left ankle, ending his season. He was still voted as a Western Conference All-Star starter for the eighth time.

Saying Goodbye to Playing: Retirement

On July 20, 2011, Yao announced his retirement from basketball in Shanghai. He explained that repeated foot and ankle injuries made it impossible to continue playing professionally. His announcement caused a huge reaction, especially in China, with over 1.2 million comments on social media.

NBA Commissioner David Stern praised Yao, calling him a "bridge between Chinese and American fans." Shaquille O'Neal also spoke highly of Yao, saying he could have been one of the top five centers ever if not for injuries.

In 2016, Yao was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a huge honor. He became the first Chinese national to receive this recognition. In February 2017, the Houston Rockets retired his Number 11 jersey, a special tribute to his time with the team.

Representing China: National Team Career

Yao proudly represented China in many international competitions. He was part of the "Walking Great Wall" team at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Olympic Highlights

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Yao carried the Chinese flag during the opening ceremony, a dream come true for him. He led his team to the quarterfinals, a big achievement. He averaged 20.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in the tournament.

Yao against LeBron James at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing

Yao also played in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. This was a very special moment for him, playing in his home country. He carried the Olympic torch and the Chinese flag. He scored the first basket for China in their opening game against the United States.

Yao helped China reach the quarterfinals of the 2008 Olympics. He averaged 19 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. He retired from the Chinese national team after these Olympics.

Asian Championships

Yao led the Chinese national team to three gold medals in the FIBA Asia Cup. They won in 2001, 2003, and 2005. Yao was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in all three tournaments.

Yao was the leading scorer of the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

He also recovered from an injury to play in the 2006 FIBA World Championship. He led China to the Round of 16 and was the tournament's leading scorer, averaging 25.3 points per game.

Beyond the Court: Life After Basketball

Yao Ming has been very active since retiring from playing basketball. He has pursued education, business, and important causes.

Education and Business Ventures

Yao enrolled at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2011 to study economics. He took special one-on-one classes to avoid distracting other students. He successfully completed his degree in July 2018 after seven years of study.

In 2016, Yao opened a winery called Yao Family Wines in Napa Valley, California. His wines have received high praise from critics.

Helping Others and Protecting Wildlife

Yao (left) with United States Secretary of State John Kerry at the U.S.–China Strategic and Economic Dialogue in 2014

Yao has participated in many charity events. In 2003, he hosted a telethon that raised US$300,000 to help fight SARS. In 2007, he held an auction and played in a charity basketball game with stars like Steve Nash and Jackie Chan. These events raised money for children in China.

After the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Yao donated $2 million for relief work. He also created the Yao Ming Foundation to help rebuild schools destroyed by the earthquake.

Yao in Beijing in 2016

Yao is a strong advocate for wildlife conservation. He partnered with WildAid to create commercials and documentaries. These projects educated people about the harmful effects of shark fin soup on shark species. His efforts helped reduce shark fin soup consumption in China by 70% between 2011 and 2018. He also filmed documentaries and public service announcements for elephant and northern white rhinoceros conservation.

A Voice for His Country

Yao is one of China's most recognized athletes. He has been a top Chinese celebrity in terms of income and popularity for many years. He has sponsorship deals with major companies like Reebok, Pepsi, Visa, Apple, and McDonald's.

In 2009, Yao bought his former club team, the Shanghai Sharks, to save them from financial trouble.

From 2013 to 2018, Yao was a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. This role allowed him to contribute to important discussions and decisions in his country. He also served as the chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association from 2017 until his resignation in 2024.

Career Statistics

NBA Regular Season Stats

NBA Playoff Stats

Awards and Achievements

• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Class 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

• NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2003
• Gold medal winner with Team China at the 2001, 2003, and 2005 FIBA Asia Cups
• MVP of the 2001, 2003, 2005 FIBA Asia Cups
• All-Tournament Team, FIBA World Cup: 2002
• Chinese Basketball Association Champion: 2001–02
• 2003 Sporting News Rookie of the Year
• 2003 Laureus Newcomer of the Year
• 2005 Proletarian Award, issued by the Chinese Communist Party

Personal Life

Yao Ming met Chinese female basketball player Ye Li when he was 17. Their relationship became public during the 2004 Olympics closing ceremony. On August 6, 2007, Yao and Ye married in a private ceremony. Their daughter, Yao Qinlei (Amy), was born in Houston, Texas, on May 21, 2010.

In 2004, Yao co-wrote an autobiography called Yao: A Life in Two Worlds. That same year, a documentary film, The Year of the Yao, focused on his NBA rookie year. The film was narrated by his friend and interpreter, Colin Pine. In 2009, Yao lent his voice to a character in a Chinese animated film, The Magic Aster.

See also

In Spanish: Yao Ming para niños

• List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards
• List of tallest players in National Basketball Association history