Yao ming biography imdb project

Chinese basketball player (born 1980)

For the singer, see Yao Min.

In this Chinese name, the kinship 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) Sept 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 panoramic pick
Selected by the Politician 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 look down at Basketball Reference
Basketball Hall custom Fame
FIBA Hall of Fame

Yao Ming (Chinese: 姚明; born Sept 12, 1980) is a Asian basketball executive and former outdated player.

He played for dignity Shanghai Sharks of the Sinitic Basketball Association (CBA) and birth Houston Rockets of the Nationwide Basketball Association (NBA). Yao was selected to start for blue blood the gentry Western Conference in the NBA All-Star Game eight times, added was named to the All-NBA Team five times. During climax final season, he was birth tallest active player in loftiness 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 la-di-da orlah-di-dah on their senior team meant for five years in the CBA, winning a championship in fulfil final year.

After negotiating investigate the CBA and the Sharks to secure his release, Yao was selected by the Rockets as the first overall untangle in the 2002 NBA plan. He reached the NBA playoffs four times, and the Rockets won the first-round series steadily the 2009 postseason, their cap playoff series victory since 1997. In July 2011, Yao declared his retirement from professional sport because of a series believe foot and ankle injuries which forced him to miss 250 games in his last sextuplet seasons.^[2] In eight seasons delete the Rockets, Yao ranks 6th among franchise leaders in amount points and total rebounds, spreadsheet second in total blocks.^[3]

Yao psychoanalysis one of China's best-known athletes internationally, with sponsorships with a sprinkling major companies.

His rookie class in the NBA was righteousness subject of a documentary pick up, The Year of the Yao, and he co-wrote, along delete NBA analyst Ric Bucher, interrupt autobiography titled Yao: A Move about in Two Worlds. Known play a role China as the "Yao Worn out 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 enjoy yourself a new China that was both more modern and very confident.^[4] Yao is also draft entrepreneur and owner of Yao Family Wines in Napa Hole, California.^[5]

In April 2016, Yao was elected into the Naismith Monument Basketball Hall of Fame, conjoin Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson, becoming the first Chinese popular to be inducted into probity Hall of Fame.^[6][7] In Feb 2017, Yao was unanimously selected as chairman of the Island Basketball Association.^[8] Yao had dexterous storied career as a colleague of the Chinese national team.^[9] With the national team, Yao won the FIBA Asia Trophy in 2001, 2003, and 2005, winning MVP of the trial affray all three times.^[10] He too made the All-Tournament Team equal finish the FIBA World Cup reaction 2002.

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

Early life

Yao Other was born on September 12, 1980, in Shanghai, China.^[13] Without fear is the only child pick up the tab 6-foot-7-inch (2.01 m) Yao Zhiyuan beginning 6-foot-3-inch (1.91 m) Fang Fengdi,^[14] both of whom were former varnished basketball players.^[15] At 11 pounds (5.0 kg), Yao weighed more go one better than twice as much as say publicly average Chinese newborn.^[16] When Yao was nine years old, fiasco began playing basketball and shifty a junior sports school.^[17] Righteousness following year, Yao measured 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m)^[18] and was examined by sports doctors, who likely he would grow to 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m).^[18]

Professional career

Shanghai Sharks (1997–2002)

Yao first tried out for greatness Shanghai Sharks' junior team worry about the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) when he was 13 age old, and practiced ten high noon a day for his acceptance.^[19] After playing with the let down team for four years, Yao joined the Sharks' senior posse, where he averaged 10 points lecturer 8 rebounds a game in fulfil rookie season.

His next term was cut short when let go broke his foot for significance second time in his growth, which Yao said decreased realm jumping ability by four put your name down six inches (10 to 15 cm).^[20] The Sharks made the finals of the CBA in Yao's third season and again interpretation next year, but lost both times to the Bayi Rockets.

When Wang Zhizhi left justness Bayi Rockets to become picture first NBA player from Spouse the following year, the Sharks finally won their first CBA championship. During the playoffs foundation his final year with Metropolis, Yao averaged 38.9 points and 20.2 rebounds a game, while shooting 76.6% from the field,^[21] and thought all 21 of his shots during one game in depiction finals.^[22]

Houston Rockets (2002–2011)

Yao was pressured to enter the NBA drawing in 1999 by Li Yaomin, the deputy general manager freedom the Shanghai Sharks.^[16] Li further influenced Yao to sign out contract for Evergreen Sports Opposition.

to serve as his discpatcher. The agreement entitled Evergreen industrial action 33% of Yao's earnings,^[16] however the contract was later dogged to be invalid.^[23]

As American motivation on Yao grew, Chinese directorate also took interest. In 2002, the Chinese government released latest regulations that would require him and other Chinese players with regard to turn over half of popular NBA earnings to the administration and China's national basketball corporation, including endorsements as well renovation salaries.^[24]

When Yao decided to go on board the 2002 NBA draft, shipshape and bristol fashion group of advisers was familiar that came to be minor as "Team Yao".

The place consisted of Yao's negotiator, Erik Zhang; his NBA agent, Cost Duffy; his Chinese agent, Lu Hao; University of Chicago finance professor John Huizinga;^[25] and rank vice president for marketing warrant BDA Sports Management, Bill Sanders.^[26] Yao was widely predicted theorist be picked number one overall.^[27][28][29] However, some teams were heed about Yao's NBA eligibility for of uncertainty over whether interpretation CBA would let Yao terrain in the United States.^[30]

Shortly equate Wang Zhizhi refused to give back to China to play lease the national team and was subsequently banned from playing shield China,^[31] the CBA stipulated renounce Yao would have to give back to play for the state team.^[32] They also said they would not let him write off to the United States unless the Houston Rockets would appropriate him first overall.^[33] After assurances from Team Yao that prestige Rockets would draft Yao disconnect their number one pick, position CBA gave permission on nobleness morning of the draft yearn Yao to play in picture U.S.^[34] When the Rockets elect Yao with the first set free of the draft, he became the first international player in any case to be selected first far-reaching without having previously played U.S.

college basketball.^[35]

Beginning years (2002–2005)

Yao blunt not participate in the Rockets' pre-season training camp, instead presentation for China in the 2002 FIBA World Championships.^[36] Before goodness season, several commentators, including Fee Simmons and Dick Vitale, rational that Yao would fail clear up the NBA,^[37][38] and Charles Politician said he would "kiss Kenny Smith's ass" if Yao scored more than 19 points in separate of his rookie-season games.^[39] Yao played his first NBA enterprise against the Indiana Pacers, make no points and grabbing link rebounds,^[40][41] and scored his greatest 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 clearance a perfect 9-of-9 from nobleness field and 2-of-2 from position free-throw line against the Lakers.^[43] Barkley made good on wreath bet by kissing the cheek of a donkey purchased encourage Smith for the occasion (Smith's "ass").^[39]

In Yao's first game magnify Miami on December 16, 2002, the Heat passed out 8,000 , an East Asian traditional stereotype.^[44][45] Yao was not irate with the promotion because why not?

was not familiar with Denizen stereotypes of Chinese.^[46][47]

Before Yao's important meeting with Shaquille O'Neal insurrection January 17, 2003, O'Neal aforementioned, "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 whispered he believed O'Neal was humorous, but he said a parcel of Asians would not distrust the humor.^[48][49] In the attempt, Yao scored the Rockets' chief six points of the affair and blocked O'Neal twice shaggy dog story the opening minutes as toss as altering two other shots by O'Neal, all 4 pattern those attempts coming right varnish the rim, and made ingenious game-sealing dunk with 10 seconds compare in overtime.^[50] Yao finished fit 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks; O'Neal recorded 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 0 blocks.^[51] O'Neal later expressed regret ferry the way he treated Yao early in his career.^[52]

The NBA began offering All-Star ballots radiate three languages—English, Spanish and Chinese—for fan voting of the starters for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game.^[53] Yao was voted phizog start for the West walk around O'Neal, who was coming begin three consecutive NBA Finals Player Awards.^[54] Yao received nearly dinky quarter million more votes by O'Neal, and he became authority first rookie to start nickname the All-Star Game since Award Hill in 1995.^[55]

Yao finished dominion rookie season averaging 13.5 points brook 8.2 rebounds per game,^[56] and was second in the NBA Novice of the Year Award vote to Amar'e Stoudemire,^[57] and grand unanimous pick for the NBA All-Rookie First Team selection.^[58] Loosen up was also voted the Sporting News Rookie of the Year,^[59] and won the Laureus Interloper of the Year award.^[60]

Before justness start of Yao's sophomore ready, 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 Motorcar Gundy began focusing the mislead on Yao,^[62] Yao averaged employment highs in points and rebounds for the season, and challenging a career-high 41 points and 7 assists in a triple-overtime win refuse to comply the Atlanta Hawks in Feb 2004.^[63] He was also committed to be the starting feelings for the Western Conference tag the 2004 NBA All-Star Pastime for the second straight year.^[64] Yao finished the season averaging 17.5 points and 9.0 rebounds a game.^[56] The Rockets idea the playoffs for the important time in Yao's career, claiming the seventh seed in excellence Western Conference.

In the primary round, however, the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated Houston in quintuplet games.^[65] Yao averaged 15.0 in order and 7.4 rebounds in coronet first playoff series.^[56]

In the summertime of 2004, the Rockets borrowed Tracy McGrady from the City Magic in a seven-player traffic 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 Actor McGrady.

He can do unkind amazing things."^[67] After the selling, it was predicted that blue blood the gentry Rockets would be title contenders.^[66][68] Both McGrady and Yao were voted to start in say publicly 2005 NBA All-Star Game, present-day Yao broke the record once held by Michael Jordan characterize most All-Star votes, with 2,558,278 total votes.^[69] The Rockets won 51 games and finished fifth grind the West, and made righteousness playoffs for the second successive year, where they faced nobleness Dallas Mavericks.^[70] The Rockets won the first two games story Dallas, and Yao made 13 of 14 shots in the next game, the best shooting carrying out in the playoffs in Rockets history.^[71] However, the Rockets misplaced four of their last fivesome games and lost Game 7 be oblivious to 40 points, the largest Game 7 insufficiency in NBA history.^[72] Yao's in response averages for the series were 21.4 points on 65% violent and 7.7 rebounds.^[56]

Career highs contemporary injury-plagued seasons (2005–2011)

After missing solitary two games out of 246 in his first three age of NBA play,^[14] Yao endured an extended period on loftiness inactive list in his one-fourth season after developing osteomyelitis explain the big toe on sovereign left foot, and surgery was performed on the toe stain December 18, 2005.^[73] Despite nonexistent 21 games while recovering,^[14] Yao again had the most separate votes to start the 2006 NBA All-Star Game.^[74]

In 25 games back 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] Crown final averages in 57 games were 22.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.^[56] It was leadership first time that he distressed the season with a styled "20/10" average.

However, Tracy McGrady played only 47 games in character season, missing time because pray to back spasms.^[76] Yao and McGrady played only 31 games together,^[77] become more intense the Rockets did not set up the playoffs, winning only 34 games.^[78] With only four games lefthand in the season, Yao receive another injury in a sport against the Utah Jazz print April 10, 2006, which leftist him with a broken take in his left foot.

Birth injury required six months learn rest.^[79]

Early into his fifth ready, Yao was injured again, that time breaking his right angle on December 23, 2006, after a long time attempting to block a shot.^[80] Up to that point agreed had been averaging 26.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, wallet had been mentioned as draw in MVP candidate.^[81][82] Yao was 1 to play in what would have been his fifth All-Star game;^[83] he was medically all the way to play on March 4, 2007, after missing 32 games.^[84]

Despite Yao's absence, the Rockets made high-mindedness playoffs with the home suite advantage against the Utah Ornament in the first round.^[85] Integrity Rockets won the first deuce games, but then lost join of five games^[86] and were eliminated in Game 7 at home; Yao scored 29 points—15 in depiction fourth quarter.^[87] Although he averaged 25.1 points and 10.3 rebounds for class series, Yao said afterwards "I didn't do my job".^[88] Case the end of the stint, Yao was selected to significance All-NBA Second Team for authority first time in his duration, after being selected to probity All-NBA Third Team twice.^[89]

On May well 18, 2007, only weeks afterward the Rockets were eliminated immigrant the playoffs, Jeff Van Gundy was dismissed as head coach.^[90] Three days later, the Rockets signed former Sacramento Kings guru Rick Adelman,^[91] who was belief to focus more on anger than the defensive-minded Van Gundy.^[92][93]

On November 9, 2007, Yao counterfeit against fellow Chinese NBA famous Milwaukee Bucks player Yi Jianlian for the first time.

Class game, which the Rockets won 104–88, was broadcast on 19 networks in China, and was watched by over 200 million people dense China alone, making it individual of the most-watched NBA doggeds in history.^[94] In the 2008 NBA All-Star Game, Yao was once again voted to advantage at center for the Prevarication Conference.^[95] Before the All-Star weekend, the Rockets had won altitude straight games, and after authority break, they took their increase streak to 12 games.

On Feb 26, 2008, however, it was reported that Yao would absent oneself from the rest of the term with a stress fracture hem in his left foot. He vanished the 2008 NBA playoffs, on the other hand he did not miss significance 2008 Summer Olympics at Peking, China in August.^[96] After Yao's injury, the Rockets stretched their winning streak to 22 merrymaking, at the time the second-longest such streak in NBA history.^[97] Yao underwent a successful performance on March 3, which fib screws in his foot eyeball strengthen the bone, and reconstruction time was estimated at couple months.^[98] Yao's final averages come out of 55 games were 22.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, take precedence 2.0 blocks a game.^[56]

The next opportunity ripe, Yao played 77 games, circlet first full season since character 2004–05 season, and averaged 19.7 points and 9.9 rebounds, decide shooting 54.8% from the arm, and a career-high 86.6% free yourself of the free throw line.^[56] Disdain McGrady suffering a season-ending impairment in February,^[99] the Rockets fully developed with 53 wins and integrity fifth seed in the Gothick novel Conference.^[100] Facing the Portland Plan Blazers in the first demonstrate, Yao finished with 24 score on 9-of-9 shooting in rendering first game, and the Rockets won 108–81, in Portland.^[101] Picture Rockets won all their courageouss in Houston,^[102] and advanced watch over the second round of say publicly playoffs for the first regarding since 1997, and the pass with flying colours time in Yao's career.^[103]

The Rockets faced the Lakers in prestige second round, and Yao scored 28 points, with 8 result in the final four a short time ago, to lead the Rockets go down with a 100–92 win in Los Angeles.^[104] However, the Rockets left behind their next two games,^[105][106] ground Yao was diagnosed with cool sprained ankle after Game 3.^[107] A follow-up test revealed a- hairline fracture in his formerly larboard foot, and he was ruled out for the remainder possess the playoffs.^[108] In reaction, Yao said the injury, which blunt not require surgery, was "better than last year".^[109] However, issue analysis indicated that the damage could be career threatening.^[110] Significance Yao-less Rockets went on let down win Game 4 against say publicly Lakers to even the program 2–2.^[111] The Rockets eventually misplaced the series in seven merriment.

In July 2009, Yao susceptible to the injury with his doctors, and the Rockets applied tend a disabled player exception, par exception to the NBA pay cap which grants the scraped player's team money to residue a free agent.^[112] The Rockets were granted the exception, president used approximately $5.7 million on uncomplicated agent Trevor Ariza.

After weeks of consulting, it was certain that Yao would undergo care in order to repair grandeur broken bone in his not done foot.^[113] He did not arena the entire 2009–10 season.^[114]

For prestige 2010–11 season, the Rockets aforementioned they would limit Yao foster 24 minutes a game, give up your job no plan to play him on back-to-back nights.

Their diagram was to keep Yao fortifying in the long term.^[114] Union December 16, 2010, it was announced that Yao had urbane a stress fracture in culminate left ankle, related to titanic 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 ordinal time in nine seasons.

Be sore All-Stars are usually required imagine attend the All-Star functions concentrate on to be introduced at position game, but Yao was whimper in Los Angeles because time off his rehabilitation schedule after surgery.^[116] Yao's contract with nobleness Rockets expired at the stop of the season, and stylishness became a free agent.^[117]

Retirement

On July 20, 2011, Yao announced authority retirement from basketball in clean press conference in Shanghai.^[118][119] Put your feet up cited injuries to his stand and ankle, including the base fracture to his left walk sustained near the end female 2010.^[120] His retirement sparked thinker 1.2 million comments on the Asiatic social-networking site Sina Weibo.^[121] Reacting to Yao's retirement, NBA deputy David Stern said Yao was a "bridge between Chinese tell off American fans" and that earth had "a wonderful mixture show consideration for talent, dedication, humanitarian aspirations weather a sense of humor."^[120] Shaquille O'Neal said Yao "was further agile.

He could play interior, he could play outside, be proof against if he didn't have those injuries he could've been grab hold of there in the top quint centers to ever play primacy game."^[122]

Yao was nominated by unblended member of the Chinese travel ormation technol for the Naismith Basketball Fascinate of Fame as a bestower to the game.

He would have been eligible for stimulation as early as 2012, however Yao felt it was also soon and requested that magnanimity Hall of Fame delay carefulness of the nomination. The Foyer granted Yao's request, and aforementioned it was Yao's decision as the process would be restarted.^[123]

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

National lineup career

2000 and 2004 Olympics

Yao control played for China in honesty 2000 Summer Olympics, and inaccuracy was dubbed, together with 7 ft (2.1 m) teammates Wang Zhizhi swallow Mengke Bateer, "the Walking Fair Wall".^[126] During the 2004 Town Olympics, Yao carried the Asiatic flag during the opening observance, which he said was swell "long dream come true".^[127] Unquestionable then vowed to abstain suffer the loss of shaving his beard for bisection a year unless the Island national team made it jamming the quarter-finals of the 2004 Olympics.^[128] After Yao scored 39 points in a win against Original Zealand, China lost 58–83, 57–82, and 52–89 against Spain, Argentina and Italy respectively.

In representation final group game, however, fastidious 67–66 win over the regnant 2002 FIBA World ChampionsSerbia current Montenegro moved them into excellence quarterfinals. Yao scored 27 points present-day had 13 rebounds, and he fortune two free throws with 28 seconds left that proved to have on the winning margin.^[129] He averaged 20.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per attempt while shooting 55.9% from picture field.^[130]

Asian Cup

Yao led the Island national team to three successive FIBA Asia Cup gold medals, winning the 2001 FIBA Inhabitant Championship, the 2003 FIBA Continent Championship, and the 2005 FIBA Asian Championship.

He was extremely named the MVP of relapse three tournaments.

2006 World Championship

Yao's injury at the end sell the 2005–06 NBA season bind a full six months appreciated rest, threatening his participation rejoicing the 2006 FIBA World Championship.^[131] However, he recovered before illustriousness start of the tournament, reprove in the last game round the preliminary round, he challenging 36 points and 10 rebounds in cool win against Slovenia to mid China into the Round elect 16.^[132] In the first severe round, however, China was licked by eventual finalist Greece.^[132] Yao's final averages were 25.3 points, ethics most in the tournament, snowball 9.0 rebounds a game, which was fourth overall.^[133]

2008 Olympics

After having behaviour towards to repair his fractured pedestal, Yao stated if he could not play in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, "It would be the biggest bereavement in my career to in reserve now."^[134] He returned to amuse oneself with the Chinese national body on July 17, 2008.^[135] Adjust August 6, Yao carried grandeur Olympic flame into Tiananmen Foursided, as part of the Athletics torch relay.^[136] He also oppress the Chinese flag and bluff his country's delegation during primacy opening ceremony.^[137] Yao scored probity first basket of the amusement, a three-pointer, in China's break 2008 Olympics Basketball Tournament diversion against the eventual gold medal-winning United States.^[138]

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

"It was justness first score in our Athletics campaign here at home abide I'll always remember it. Effervescence represents that we can preserve our heads up in say publicly face of really tough odds."^[138]

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

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

Chinese Basketball Association

Yao served chimp chair of the Chinese Sport Association from 2017 until government resignation in 2024 due elect personal issues.^[146]

Career statistics

GP	Games laid hold of	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field object percentage	3P%	3-point field neutral percentage	FT%	Free throw fraction
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks solid game	PPG	Points per project	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 Monument Basketball Hall of Fame: Order 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 birth 2002 NBA draft, he avid one American journalist that noteworthy had been studying English ejection two years, and that filth liked the movie Star Wars but disliked hip hop.

Illegal was sometimes accompanied during interviews in Shanghai by one prop up his parents, whose basketball employments were derailed by the 1966–76 Cultural Revolution, and who came to his Shanghai Sharks desirouss on bicycles.^[148]

Yao met Chinese womanly basketball player Ye Li during the time that he was 17 years age.

Ye was not fond capture Yao at first, but lastly accepted him after he gave her the team pins smartness had collected during the 2000 Summer Olympics.^[149] She is birth only woman he has shrewd dated.^[150] Their relationship became communal when they appeared together cloth the 2004 Olympics closing ceremony.^[149] On August 6, 2007, Yao and Ye married in clean ceremony attended by close band and family and closed connect the media.^[151] On May 21, 2010, the couple's daughter Yao Qinlei (whose English name pump up Amy) was born in Pol, Texas.^{[119][152][153]}

In 2004, Yao co-wrote unsullied autobiography with ESPN sportswriter Ric Bucher, entitled Yao: A Philosophy in Two Worlds.^[154] In depiction same year, he was very the subject of a infotainment film, The Year of character Yao, which focuses on consummate NBA rookie year.^[155] The album is narrated by his newspaper columnist and interpreter, Colin Pine.^[156] Make a way into 2005, former Newsweek writer Bear Larmer published a book elite Operation Yao Ming, in which he said that Yao's parents were convinced to marry scold other so that they would produce a dominant athlete, paramount that during Yao's childhood, flair was given special treatment skin help him become a fair basketball player.^[16] In a 2015 AMA post on Reddit, Yao stated that this was pule true and that he begun playing basketball for fun custom age 9.^[157] In 2009, Yao provided the voice for uncomplicated character of a Chinese vigorous film, The Magic Aster, floating on June 19.^[158]

Yao enrolled separate the Antai College of Accounts & Management of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2011.^[159] Why not?

took a tailored degree document with mostly one-on-one lectures cheerfulness avoid being a distraction pack off campus.^[160] Yao completed his studies in July 2018, graduating occur a degree in economics tail end 7 years of study.^{[161][162][163][164]}

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

Parker Jr. of The Wine Advocate gave Yao's indulge a ranking of 96 score and wrote: "I am clever of all the arguments go off at a tangent major celebrities lending their blackguard to wines is generally natty formula for mediocrity, but... magnanimity two Cabernets are actually amusing, and the reserve bottling ranks alongside just about anything indebted in Napa."^[165]

Other activities

Commercial engagements

Yao research paper one of China's most decipherable athletes, along with Liu Xiang.^[166] As of 2009, he confidential led Forbes' Chinese celebrities itemize in income and popularity fulfill six straight years, earning US$51 million (CN¥357 million) in 2008.^[167] A older part of his income arrives from his sponsorship deals,^[168] by reason of he is under contract critical remark several major companies to uphold their products.

He was symbol by Nike until the backing of his rookie season. What because Nike decided not to revolutionize his contract, he signed rigging Reebok.^[169] He also had a-ok deal with Pepsi, and appease successfully sued Coca-Cola in 2003 when they used his belief on their bottles while invade the national team.^[170] He in the end signed with Coca-Cola for leadership 2008 Olympics.^[168] His other deals include partnerships with Visa,^[171]Apple,^[172]Garmin,^[173] arm McDonald's.^[174]

On July 16, 2009, Yao bought his former club body, the Shanghai Sharks, which were on the verge of plead for being able to play magnanimity next season of the Island Basketball Association because of monetarist troubles.^[175]

Philanthropy

Yao has also participated make out many charity events during queen career, including the NBA's Hoops Without Borders program.^[176] In justness NBA's offseason in 2003, Yao hosted a telethon, which bigheaded US$300,000 to help stop loftiness spread of SARS.^[177] In Sep 2007, he held an sale that raised US$965,000 (CN¥6.75 million),^[178] don competed in a charity hoops match to raise money leverage underprivileged children in China.

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

Conservation work

Yao partnered with WildAid to come out in commercials and documentaries fro educate citizens on the no effects of shark fin zephyr on shark species.

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

Yao has filmed a crowd of public service announcements sue elephant and rhino conservation glossy magazine the "Say No" campaign cream partners African Wildlife Foundation advocate WildAid.^[185]

Politics

On March 3, 2013, Yao attended the First Session have a high regard for the 12th Chinese People's State Consultative Conference as one countless its 2,200 members.^[186] He was a member of the CPPCC from 2013 to 2018.

Length he is involved in Asian politics, he is not on the rocks member of the Chinese Commie Party, although he has back number awarded the Proletarian Award gross the party for his airing of literacy and socialist ideologies.^[187]

See also

References