View source for Yao Ming

{{Short description|Chinese basketball player and executive (born 1980)}}
{{for|the singer|Yao Min}}
{{family name hatnote|[[Yao (surname)|Yao]]|lang=Chinese}}
{{pp-move}}
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Yao Ming
| native_name = {{Nobold|姚明}}
| native_name_lang = zh
| image = Yao Ming in 2014 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Yao in 2014
| office = President of the <br> [[Chinese Basketball Association (organisation)|Chinese Basketball Association]]
| term_start = February 23, 2017
| term_end = October 31, 2024
| predecessor = [[Yu Zaiqing]]
| successor = Guo Zhenming
| office2 = Member of the [[Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference]] (12th)
| term_start2 = March 2013
| term_end2 = March 2018
| 1blankname2 = Chairman
| 1namedata2 = [[Yu Zhengsheng]]
| birth_name = 
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|9|12}}
| birth_place = [[Shanghai]], China
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Ye Li]]|August 6, 2007|}}
| children = 1
| occupation = Basketball player / administrator
| signature = 
| signature_alt = 
| module = {{Infobox basketball biography
| embed = yes
| height_ft = 7
| height_in = 6
| weight_lbs = 310
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 1
| draft_team = [[Houston Rockets]]
| draft_year = 2002
| career_number = 11
| career_position = [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| career_start = 1997
| career_end = 2011
| years1 = [[1997–98 CBA season|1997]]–[[2001–02 CBA season|2002]]
| team1 = [[Shanghai Sharks]] 
| years2 = {{nbay|2002|start}}–{{nbay|2010|end}}
| team2 = [[Houston Rockets]]
| highlights = 
* 8× [[NBA All-Star]] ({{nasg|2003}}–{{nasg|2009}}, {{nasg|2011}})
* 2× [[All-NBA Second Team]] ({{nbay|2006|end}}, {{nbay|2008|end}})
* 3× [[All-NBA Third Team]] ({{nbay|2003|end}}, {{nbay|2005|end}}, {{nbay|2007|end}})
* [[NBA All-Rookie First Team]] ({{nbay|2002|end}})
* No. 11 [[Houston Rockets#Retired numbers|retired by Houston Rockets]]
* [[CBA Most Valuable Player|CBA MVP]] ([[2000–01 CBA season|2001]])
* [[Chinese Basketball Association champion|CBA champion]] ([[2001–02 CBA season|2002]])
* [[CBA Finals Most Valuable Player|CBA Finals MVP]] ([[2000–01 CBA season|2001]])
* 3× [[Chinese Basketball Association|CBA]] rebounding leader ([[1999–2000 CBA season|2000]]–[[2001–02 CBA season|2002]])
* 3× [[Chinese Basketball Association|CBA]] blocks leader ([[1999–2000 CBA season|2000]]–[[2001–02 CBA season|2002]])
* 3× [[FIBA Asia Cup MVP]] ([[ABC Championship 2001|2001]], [[ABC Championship 2003|2003]], [[FIBA Asia Championship 2005|2005]])
| stats_league = NBA
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 9,247 (19.0 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 4,494 (9.2 rpg)
| stat3label = [[Block (basketball)|Blocks]]
| stat3value = 920 (1.9 bpg)
| medaltemplates = 
{{Medal|Sport | Men's [[basketball]]}}
{{Medal|Country | {{bk|China}} }}
{{Medal|Competition | [[FIBA Asia Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Gold | [[1999 ABC Championship|1999 Fukuoka]] | }}
{{Medal|Gold | [[2001 ABC Championship|2001 Shanghai]] | }}
{{Medal|Gold | [[2003 ABC Championship|2003 Harbin]] | }}
{{Medal|Gold | [[2005 FIBA Asia Championship|2005 Doha]] | }}
{{Medal|Competition | [[Basketball at the Asian Games|Asian Games]]}}
{{Medal|Silver | [[Basketball at the 2002 Asian Games|2002 Busan]] | }}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Basketball at the Summer World University Games|Universiade Games]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[Basketball at the 2001 Summer Universiade|2001 Beijing]] | }}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Basketball at the East Asian Games|East Asian Games]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Basketball at the East Asian Games|2001 Osaka]] | }}
|HOF_player= yao-ming
| FIBA_HOF_player = Yao-Ming
}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| pic = Yao Ming (Chinese characters).svg
| piccap = Yao's name in Chinese characters
| picupright = 0.4
| c = 姚明
| p = Yáo Míng
| bpmf = ㄧㄠˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ
| gr = Yau Ming
| w = {{Tonesup|Yao2 Ming2}}
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|yao|2|-|m|ing|2}}
| y = Yìuh Mìhng
| j = jiu4 ming4
| ci = {{IPAc-yue|j|iu|4|-|m|ing|4}}
| poj = Iâu Bêng
}}

'''Yao Ming''' ({{lang-zh|c=姚明}}; born September 12, 1980) is a Chinese [[basketball]] executive and former professional player. He played for the [[Shanghai Sharks]] of the [[Chinese Basketball Association]] (CBA), and then spent his entire nine-year [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) career with the [[Houston Rockets]]. Yao was selected to start for the [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]] in the [[NBA All-Star Game]] eight times, and was named to the [[All-NBA Team]] five times. During his final season, he was the [[List of tallest players in National Basketball Association history|tallest active player in the NBA]], at {{convert|7|ft|6|in}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/yao_ming/index.html |title=NBA.com Yao Ming Info Page |publisher=NBA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629174229/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/yao_ming/index.html |archive-date=June 29, 2013}}</ref>

Yao, who was born in [[Shanghai]], started playing for the Sharks as a teenager, and played on their senior team for five years in the CBA, winning a championship in his final year. After negotiating with the CBA and the Sharks to secure his release, Yao was selected by the Rockets as the first overall pick in the [[2002 NBA draft]]. He reached the [[NBA playoffs]] four times, and the Rockets won the first-round series in the [[2009 NBA playoffs|2009 postseason]], their first playoff series victory since 1997. In July 2011, Yao announced his retirement from professional basketball because of a series of foot and ankle injuries which forced him to miss 250 games in his last six seasons.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Passa |first=Dennis |url=https://news.yahoo.com/chinese-great-yao-ming-retires-basketball-060633532.html |title=Chinese great Yao Ming retires from basketball |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130114954/http://news.yahoo.com/chinese-great-yao-ming-retires-basketball-060633532.html |archive-date=November 30, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In eight seasons with the Rockets, Yao ranks sixth among franchise leaders in total points and total rebounds, and second in total blocks.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chinese star Houston Rockets' Yao Ming retires, ending basketball career |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/6785935 |publisher=ESPN |date=July 14, 2013 |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref>

Yao is one of China's best-known athletes internationally, with sponsorships with several major companies. His rookie year in the NBA was the subject of a documentary film, ''[[The Year of the Yao]]'', and he co-wrote, along with NBA analyst [[Ric Bucher]], an autobiography titled ''Yao: A Life in Two Worlds''. Known in China as the "Yao Ming Phenomenon" and in the United States as the "Ming Dynasty", Yao's success in the NBA, and his popularity among fans, made him a symbol of a new China that was both more modern and more confident.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Pomfret |first1=John |title=The Beautiful Country and the Middle Kingdom: American and China, 1776 to the Present |page=582 |location=New York |publisher=Picador |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-250-16063-8}}</ref> Yao is also an entrepreneur and owner of Yao Family Wines in [[Napa Valley, California]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rothbaum |first=Noah |date=2021-05-26 |title=From the NBA to Napa: Talking Cabernet Wines with Yao Ming |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/10-rounds-with-retired-nba-star-yao-ming-and-owner-of-yao-family-wines |access-date=2024-05-09 |work=The Daily Beast |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2016, Yao was elected into the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]], alongside [[Shaquille O'Neal]] and [[Allen Iverson]], becoming the first Chinese national to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hoophall.com/news/2016/4/4/naismith-memorial-basketball-hall-of-fame-class-of-2016-anno.html |title=Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2016 Announcement presented by Haggar Clothing Company |work=Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |date=April 4, 2016 |access-date=April 4, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417204345/http://www.hoophall.com/news/2016/4/4/naismith-memorial-basketball-hall-of-fame-class-of-2016-anno.html |archive-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-03 |title=Basketball Legend Yao Ming to Speak at NYU Shanghai 8th Undergraduate Commencement |url=https://shanghai.nyu.edu/news/basketball-legend-yao-ming-speak-nyu-shanghai-8th-undergraduate-commencement |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=shanghai.nyu.edu |language=en-US}}</ref> In February 2017, Yao was unanimously elected as chairman of the [[Chinese Basketball Association (organisation)|Chinese Basketball Association]].<ref name="cbachairman">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/02/23/yao-ming-named-president-chinese-basketball-association |title=Former Houston Rockets star Yao Ming named president of Chinese Basketball Association |access-date=December 19, 2018 |date=February 23, 2017 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> Yao had a storied career as a member of the Chinese national team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Adam |title=Video: Rockets Legend Yao Ming Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2023 |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10087125-video-rockets-legend-yao-ming-inducted-into-fiba-hall-of-fame-class-of-2023 |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref> With the national team, Yao won the FIBA Asia Cup in 2001, 2003, and 2005, winning MVP of the tournament all three times.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-02 |title=Asian Legends Series: Yao Ming |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/news/asian-legends-series-yao-ming |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=FIBA.basketball |language=en}}</ref> He also made the All-Tournament Team at the FIBA World Cup in 2002. Yao retired from the Chinese national team after the [[2008 Beijing Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=BLINEBURY |first=FRAN |title=Yao, China come to quiet end with loss to Lithuania |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/yao-china-come-to-quiet-end-with-loss-to-1787233.php |access-date=2024-05-06 |work=Chron |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite Sports-Reference}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Yao Ming was born on September 12, 1980, in [[Shanghai]], China.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yao Ming |date=May 22, 2005 |newspaper=The Journal Times |page=92}}</ref> He is the only child of {{convert|6|ft|7|in|adj=on}} Yao Zhiyuan and {{convert|6|ft|3|in|adj=on}} Fang Fengdi,<ref name="ref1">{{cite web |title=NBA: Yao Ming Info Page |publisher=NBA |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/yao_ming/bio.html |access-date=May 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070419174938/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/yao_ming/bio.html |archive-date=April 19, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> both of whom were former professional basketball players.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bucher |first=Ric |author2=Ming, Yao |title=Yao: A Life in Two Worlds |publisher=[[Miramax Books]] |year=2004 |pages=xviii |isbn=978-1-4013-5214-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom}}</ref> At birth, Yao weighed {{convert|11|lb}}, more than twice the average weight of a Chinese newborn.<ref name="ref3">{{Cite book |last=Larmer |first=Brook |title=Operation Yao Ming: The Chinese Sports Empire, American Big Business, and the Making of an NBA Superstar |publisher=[[Gotham Books]] |url=https://archive.org/details/operationyaoming00larm |date=November 3, 2005 |isbn=1-59240-078-7}}</ref> When Yao was nine years old, he began playing basketball and attended a junior sports school.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Bucher |first1=Ric |author2=Ming, Yao |title=Yao: A Life in Two Worlds |page=[https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/29 29] |location=New York |publisher=Miramax Books |year=2004 |isbn=1-4013-5214-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/29}}</ref> The following year, Yao measured {{convert|5|ft|5|in}}<ref name="book">{{Cite book |last=Bucher |first=Ric |author2=Ming, Yao |title=Yao: A Life in Two Worlds |page=[https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/25 25] |isbn=1-4013-5214-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/25 |date=September 22, 2004 |publisher=Miamax}}</ref> and was examined by sports doctors, who predicted he would grow to {{convert|7|ft|3|in}}.<ref name="book"/>

== Professional career ==

=== Shanghai Sharks (1997–2002) ===
Yao first tried out for the [[Shanghai Sharks]]' junior team of the [[Chinese Basketball Association]] (CBA) when he was 13 years old, and practiced ten hours a day for his acceptance.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bucher |first=Ric |author2=Ming, Yao |title=Yao: A Life in Two Worlds |page=[https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/31 31] |isbn=1-4013-5214-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/31 |date=September 22, 2004 |publisher=Miamax}}</ref> After playing with the junior team for four years, Yao joined the Sharks' senior team, where he averaged 10&nbsp;points and 8&nbsp;[[rebound (basketball)|rebounds]] a game in his [[1997–98 Chinese Basketball Association season|rookie season]]. His next season was cut short when he broke his foot for the second time in his career, which Yao said decreased his jumping ability by four to six inches (10 to 15&nbsp;cm).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bucher |first=Ric |author2=Ming, Yao |title=Yao: A Life in Two Worlds |page=[https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/50 50] |isbn=1-4013-5214-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/50 |date=September 22, 2004 |publisher=Miamax}}</ref> The Sharks made the finals of the CBA in Yao's [[1999–2000 CBA season|third season]] and again the [[2000–01 CBA season|next year]], but lost both times to the [[Bayi Rockets]]. When [[Wang Zhizhi]] left the Bayi Rockets to become the first NBA player from China the [[2001–02 CBA season|following year]], the Sharks finally won their first CBA championship. During the playoffs in his final year with Shanghai, Yao averaged 38.9&nbsp;points and 20.2&nbsp;rebounds a game, while shooting 76.6% from the field,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.nba.com/draft2002/profiles/yao_ming.html |title=Player Profile Yao Ming |publisher=NBA |access-date=February 9, 2009}}</ref> and made all 21 of his shots during one game in the finals.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Beech |first=Hannah |title=China's Incredible Hulk of the hard court becomes an NBA sensation |work=Time Magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/heroes/yao_ming.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030422082606/http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/heroes/yao_ming.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 22, 2003 |access-date=August 23, 2008 |date=April 28, 2003}}</ref>

=== Houston Rockets (2002–2011) ===
Yao was pressured to enter the [[1999 NBA draft|NBA draft in 1999]] by Li Yaomin, the deputy general manager of the Shanghai Sharks.<ref name="ref3"/> Li also influenced Yao to sign a contract for Evergreen Sports Inc. to serve as his agent. The agreement entitled Evergreen to 33% of Yao's earnings,<ref name="ref3"/> but the contract was later determined to be invalid.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bucher |first=Ric |author2=Ming, Yao |title=Yao: A Life in Two Worlds |page=[https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/68 68] |isbn=1-4013-5214-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/68 |date=September 22, 2004 |publisher=Miamax}}</ref>

As American attention on Yao grew, Chinese authorities also took interest. In 2002, the Chinese government released new regulations that would require him and other Chinese players to turn over half of any NBA earnings to the government and China's national basketball association, including endorsements as well as salaries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fackler |first=Martin |title=Beijing Could Claim Half of Chinese Star's NBA Earnings |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/910072/Beijing-could-claim-half-of-Chinese-stars-NBA-earnings.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728150150/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/910072/Beijing-could-claim-half-of-Chinese-stars-NBA-earnings.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 28, 2019 |access-date=July 29, 2019 |date=April 25, 2002}}</ref>

When Yao decided to enter the [[2002 NBA draft]], a group of advisers was formed that came to be known as "Team Yao". The team consisted of Yao's negotiator, Erik Zhang; his NBA agent, Bill Duffy; his Chinese agent, Lu Hao; [[University of Chicago]] economics professor John Huizinga;<ref>{{cite web |title=John Huizinga Chicago Booth Faculty |publisher=ChicagoGSB.com |url=http://www.chicagobooth.edu/faculty/bio.aspx?person_id=12825085952 |access-date=March 13, 2008 |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019103006/http://www.chicagobooth.edu/faculty/bio.aspx?person_id=12825085952 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the vice president for marketing at BDA Sports Management, Bill Sanders.<ref>{{cite web |title=Introducing Team Yao |work=BusinessWeek |date=October 25, 2004 |url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_43/b3905019.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041025013110/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_43/b3905019.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 25, 2004 |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> Yao was widely predicted to be picked number one overall.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ainge |first=Danny |title=Danny Ainge's Mock Draft |publisher=NBA |year=2002 |url=http://www.nba.com/draft2002/ainge_mock_draft.html |access-date=March 13, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Katz |first=Andy |title=Deals will likely shake up draft |publisher=ESPN |date=June 25, 2002 |url=https://www.espn.com/nbadraft/story?id=1398733 |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Thomsen |first=Ian |title=Let the picking begin |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=June 19, 2002 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2002/draft/news/2002/06/19/thomsen_mock |access-date=March 13, 2008 |archive-date=December 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206032641/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2002/draft/news/2002/06/19/thomsen_mock/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, some teams were concerned about Yao's NBA eligibility because of uncertainty over whether the CBA would let Yao play in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |last=Katz |first=Andy |title=2002 NBA Draft: ESPN's Takes |publisher=ESPN |date=June 25, 2002 |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nbadraft/story?id=1384375 |access-date=August 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206145800/http://sports.espn.go.com/nbadraft/story?id=1384375 |archive-date=December 6, 2008}}</ref>

Shortly after Wang Zhizhi refused to return to China to play for the [[China men's national basketball team|national team]] and was subsequently banned from playing for China,<ref>{{Cite news |title='Unpatriotic' star dumped from China team |publisher=CNN |date=August 27, 2002 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/east/08/27/china.bball/index.html |access-date=March 15, 2008 |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022185327/http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/east/08/27/china.bball/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> the CBA stipulated that Yao would have to return to play for the national team.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bucher |first=Ric |author2=Ming, Yao |title=Yao: A Life in Two Worlds |page=[https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/120 120] |isbn=1-4013-5214-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/120 |date=September 22, 2004 |publisher=Miamax}}</ref> They also said they would not let him go to the United States unless the [[Houston Rockets]] would take him first overall.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bucher |first=Ric |author2=Ming, Yao |title=Yao: A Life in Two Worlds |page=[https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/102 102] |isbn=1-4013-5214-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/102 |date=September 22, 2004 |publisher=Miamax}}</ref> After assurances from Team Yao that the Rockets would draft Yao with their number one pick, the CBA gave permission on the morning of the draft for Yao to play in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bucher |first=Ric |author2=Ming, Yao |title=Yao: A Life in Two Worlds |page=[https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/124 124] |isbn=1-4013-5214-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/124 |date=September 22, 2004 |publisher=Miamax}}</ref> When the Rockets selected Yao with the first pick of the draft, he became the first international player ever to be selected first overall without having previously played U.S. [[college basketball]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Yao Ming Makes NBA History in 2002 Draft |publisher=china.org.cn |date=June 27, 2002 |url=http://china.org.cn/english/NM-e/35721.htm |access-date=March 14, 2008}}</ref>

==== Beginning years (2002–2005) ====
Yao did not participate in the Rockets' pre-season training camp, instead playing for China in the [[2002 FIBA World Championship]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lago |first=Joe |title=Rockets make Yao Ming first overall pick |publisher=ESPN |date=October 30, 2002 |url=https://www.espn.com/nbadraft/story?id=1399417 |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> Before the season, several commentators, including [[Bill Simmons]] and [[Dick Vitale]], predicted that Yao would fail in the NBA,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Simmons |first=Bill |title=Dear Diary ... who are these |publisher=ESPN |date=June 27, 2002 |url=https://proxy.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/020627 |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Vitale |first=Dick |title=Yao Ming could be another LaRue Martin |publisher=ESPN |date=May 22, 2002 |url=https://www.espn.com/dickvitale/vcolumn020522YaoMing.html |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> and [[Charles Barkley]] said he would "kiss [[Kenny Smith]]'s ass" if Yao scored more than 19&nbsp;points in one of his rookie-season games.<ref name="barkleykiss">{{Cite news |last=Lago |first=Joe |title=Smith scores against Charles with the kiss |publisher=ESPN |date=November 20, 2002 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/columns/misc/1463585.html |access-date=April 3, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107171758/http://espn.go.com/nba/columns/misc/1463585.html |archive-date=January 7, 2007}}</ref> Yao played his first NBA game against the [[Indiana Pacers]], scoring no points and grabbing two rebounds,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pacers Bring Rockets Down to Earth |publisher=NBA |date=October 30, 2002 |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20021030/HOUIND/recap.html |access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Yao Ming 2002–03 Game Log |publisher=basketball-reference.com |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pgl.cgi?player=mingya01&year=2003 |access-date=April 20, 2009}}</ref> and scored his first NBA basket against the [[Denver Nuggets]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mobley, Francis take control in fourth quarter |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN |date=November 1, 2002 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=221101007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819201222/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=221101007 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> In his first seven games, he averaged only 14&nbsp;minutes and 4&nbsp;points, but on November 17, he scored 20&nbsp;points on a perfect 9-of-9 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line against the Lakers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Francis and Yao Wow Lakers in Clutch |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20021117/HOULAL/recap.html |publisher=NBA |date=November 17, 2002 |access-date=March 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109103150/http://www.nba.com/games/20021117/HOULAL/recap.html |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Barkley made good on his bet by kissing the buttock of a donkey purchased by Smith for the occasion (Smith's "ass").<ref name="barkleykiss"/>

In Yao's first game in Miami on December 16, 2002, the [[Miami Heat|Heat]] passed out 8,000 [[fortune cookie]]s, an [[Stereotypes of East Asians in the United States|East Asian cultural stereotype]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yo, Yao! What does the "Ming Dynasty" tell us about race and transnational diplomacy in the NBA? (Culture). |first=David |last=Leonard |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Yo,+Yao!+What+does+the+%22Ming+Dynasty%22+tell+us+about+race+and...-a0103192536 |magazine=[[ColorLines Magazine]] |date=June 22, 2003 |access-date=September 7, 2010 |quote=It's dubious that Yao's dunking and product promotions will provide Americans a meaningful introduction to China, especially because Yao's popularity and public persona is rooted in old-school stereotypes about Chinese culture and identity. For example, in honor of Yao's debut appearance in Miami, the American Airlines Arena passed out fortune cookies to all 8,000 fans in attendance.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ballantini |first=Brett |title=Shaquille O'Neil: the ugly American – From Courtside |magazine=Basketball Digest |pages=6–7 |date=March 1, 2003 |quote=For Yao's first game in Miami on December 16, the Heat "honored" Yao by passing out 8,000 fortune Cookies—the quintessential Asian stereotype—to spectators}}</ref> Yao was not angry with the promotion because he was not familiar with American stereotypes of Chinese.<ref name=tang>{{Cite news |last=Tang |first=Irwin |title=APA Community Should Tell Shaquille O'Neal to 'Come down to Chinatown. |url=http://www.asianweek.com/2003_01_03/sports_yaoming.html |magazine=[[AsianWeek]] |date=January 3, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604122136/http://www.asianweek.com/2003_01_03/sports_yaoming.html |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |access-date=November 8, 2010 |quote=Yao found the promotion amusing but pointed out that fortune cookies have nothing to do with him. He said that he was not angry because he was not familiar with American stereotypes of Chinese. |url-status=dead}}</ref> In an earlier interview in 2000, Yao said he had never seen a fortune cookie in China and guessed it must have been an American invention.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Next Athlete: Yao Ming |first=Cal |last=Fussman |url=https://www.espn.com/magazine/vol3no26ming.html |magazine=[[ESPN The Magazine]] |date=December 25, 2000 |access-date=July 11, 2020 |quote=The food in Chinese restaurants there is different than {{sic}} here. It was strange seeing a fortune cookie for the first time. We don't have them here. Must be an American invention.
 }}</ref>

Before Yao's first meeting with [[Shaquille O'Neal]] on January 17, 2003, O'Neal said, "Tell Yao Ming, [[ching chong]]-yang-wah-ah-soh", prompting accusations of racism.<ref name=tang/> O'Neal denied that his comments were racist, and said he was only joking.<ref name="racism">{{Cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E01E3D91731F931A25752C0A9659C8B63 |title=Sports of The Times; Fans in Shanghai Are Voting in the Mainstream |last=Vecsey |first=George |date=January 12, 2003 |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110185935/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E01E3D91731F931A25752C0A9659C8B63 |archive-date=November 10, 2007 |access-date=November 8, 2010 |quote=Yao quickly said: "The world is getting smaller, and I think it's important to have a greater understanding of other cultures. I believe Shaquille O'Neal was joking, but I think that a lot of Asian people don't understand that kind of joke." |url-status=dead}}</ref> Yao also said he believed O'Neal was joking, but he said a lot of [[East Asian people|Asians]] would not see the humor.<ref name="racism"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/01/10/shaq_yao_ap/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030202044738/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/01/10/shaq_yao_ap/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2003 |title=Shaq says Yao comments were said in jest |agency=Associated Press |publisher=CNNSI.com |date=January 10, 2003 |access-date=October 17, 2010}}</ref> In the game, Yao scored the Rockets' first six points of the game and blocked O'Neal twice in the opening minutes as well as altering two other shots by O'Neal, all 4 of those attempts coming right at the rim, and made a game-sealing dunk with 10&nbsp;seconds left in overtime.<ref>{{cite web |title=Francis Towers Over Shaq-Yao Clash |publisher=NBA |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20030117/LALHOU/recap.html |access-date=August 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109103155/http://www.nba.com/games/20030117/LALHOU/recap.html |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Yao finished with 10&nbsp;points, 10&nbsp;rebounds, and 6&nbsp;blocks; O'Neal recorded 31&nbsp;points, 13&nbsp;rebounds, and 0&nbsp;blocks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets Box Score, January 17, 2003 |work=basketball-reference.com |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200301170HOU.html |access-date=October 16, 2010}}</ref> O'Neal later expressed regret for the way he treated Yao early in his career.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilborn |first=Michael |title=Can't overestimate Yao Ming's impact |publisher=ESPN |date=December 20, 2010 |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=wilbon/101220 |access-date=March 13, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402201354/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=wilbon%2F101220 |quote="Shaquille O'Neal once told me he hated that he hazed Yao a little bit early in his career." |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The NBA began offering [[NBA All-Star Game|All-Star]] ballots in three languages—English, Spanish and Chinese—for fan voting of the starters for the [[2003 NBA All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Vecsey |first=George |author-link=George Vecsey |title=Fans in Shanghai Are Voting in the Mainstream |date=January 12, 2003 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/12/sports/basketball/12VECS.html}}</ref> Yao was voted to start for the West over O'Neal, who was coming off three consecutive [[NBA Finals MVP Award]]s.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sizing up Yao Ming's NBA career, impact |date=July 19, 2011 |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/5-on-5-110719/yao-ming-retirement-questions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722160545/http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/5-on-5-110719/yao-ming-retirement-questions |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> Yao received nearly a quarter million more votes than O'Neal, and he became the first rookie to start in the All-Star Game since [[Grant Hill]] in [[1995 NBA All-Star Game|1995]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Growing pains |date=February 9, 2011 |work=SI.com |publisher=AOL Time Warner |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2003/all_star/news/2003/02/09/yao_struggles_ap/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104170704/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2003/all_star/news/2003/02/09/yao_struggles_ap/ |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Yao Ming free throw.jpg|thumb|right|Yao prepares to shoot a free throw with [[John Stockton]] in the background]]
Yao finished his rookie season averaging 13.5&nbsp;points and 8.2&nbsp;rebounds per game,<ref name="ref4">{{cite web |title=Yao Ming Career Stats Page |publisher=NBA |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/yao_ming/career_stats.html |access-date=March 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405161117/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/yao_ming/career_stats.html |archive-date=April 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> and was second in the [[NBA Rookie of the Year Award]] voting to [[Amar'e Stoudemire]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Stoudemire Wins 2002–03 'got milk?' NBA Rookie of the Year Award |publisher=NBA |date=April 24, 2003 |url=http://www.nba.com/suns/news/stoudemire_roy_030424.html |access-date=March 14, 2008}}</ref> and a unanimous pick for the NBA All-Rookie First Team selection.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |title=NBA: Yao Ming Bio Page |publisher=NBA |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/yao_ming/bio.html |access-date=August 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070419174938/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/yao_ming/bio.html |archive-date=April 19, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> He was also voted the ''[[Sporting News]]'' Rookie of the Year,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bucher |first=Ric |author2=Ming, Yao |title=Yao: A Life in Two Worlds |page=[https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/198 198] |isbn=1-4013-5214-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/198 |date=September 22, 2004 |publisher=Miamax}}</ref> and won the [[Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year|Laureus Newcomer of the Year]] award.<ref>{{cite web |title=Laureus Winners Archive |publisher=laureus.com |url=http://www.laureus.com/winners?year=2003 |access-date=March 14, 2008 |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720171615/http://www.laureus.com/winners?year=2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:2004 Got Milk Rookie Challenge - Sophomore Starting Lineup.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Yao (''fourth from left'') standing with the Sophomores team during the [[:en:2004 NBA All-Star Game|2004]] [[Rising Stars Challenge|Rookie Challenge]] game.]]
Before the start of Yao's sophomore season, Rockets' head coach [[Rudy Tomjanovich]] resigned because of health issues,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Team says resignation just one of several options |publisher=ESPN |date=February 2, 2005 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1981564 |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> and long-time [[New York Knicks]] head coach [[Jeff Van Gundy]] was brought in. After Van Gundy began focusing the offense on Yao,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao takes center stage in Houston's new stadium |date=November 1, 2003 |work=The Taipei Times |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2003/11/01/2003074252 |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> Yao averaged career highs in points and rebounds for the season, and had a career-high 41&nbsp;points and 7&nbsp;assists in a triple-overtime win against the [[Atlanta Hawks]] in February 2004.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Rockets Prevail in Triple-Overtime Thriller |publisher=NBA |date=February 22, 2004 |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20040222/ATLHOU/recap.html |access-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref> He was also voted to be the starting center for the [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]] in the [[2004 NBA All-Star Game]] for the second straight year.<ref>{{cite web |title=2004 NBA All-Star Game |publisher=NBA |date=February 15, 2004 |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20040215/ESTWST/boxscore.html |access-date=April 16, 2008}}</ref> Yao finished the season averaging 17.5 points and 9.0 rebounds a game.<ref name="ref4"/> The Rockets made the playoffs for the first time in Yao's career, claiming the seventh seed in the Western Conference. In the first round, however, the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] eliminated Houston in five games.<ref>{{cite web |title=2004 NBA Playoffs series |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs2004/series?series=lalhou |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> Yao averaged 15.0 points and 7.4 rebounds in his first playoff series.<ref name="ref4"/>

In the summer of 2004, the Rockets acquired [[Tracy McGrady]] from the [[Orlando Magic]] in a seven-player trade that also sent [[Steve Francis]] and [[Cuttino Mobley]] to Orlando.<ref name="ref5">{{Cite news |title=Francis' meeting with Magic triggers trade |publisher=ESPN |date=June 30, 2004 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1831594 |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> Although Yao said that Francis and Mobley had "helped [him] in every way [his] first two seasons", he added, "I'm excited about playing with Tracy McGrady. He can do some amazing things."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bucher |first=Ric |author2=Ming, Yao |title=Yao: A Life in Two Worlds |page=[https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/288 288] |isbn=1-4013-5214-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/yao00yaom/page/288 |date=September 22, 2004 |publisher=Miamax}}</ref> After the trade, it was predicted that the Rockets would be title contenders.<ref name="ref5"/><ref>{{Cite news |title=Rockets muscle up; Magic will build around Francis |last=Dupree |first=David |work=USA Today |date=June 30, 2004 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-06-30-deal-analysis_x.htm |access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref> Both McGrady and Yao were voted to start in the [[2005 NBA All-Star Game]], and Yao broke the record previously held by [[Michael Jordan]] for most All-Star votes, with 2,558,278 total votes.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao Ming gets record votes for All-Star game |date=February 4, 2005 |work=China Daily |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-02/04/content_415041.htm |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> The Rockets won 51&nbsp;games and finished fifth in the West, and made [[2005 NBA playoffs|the playoffs]] for the second consecutive year, where they faced the [[Dallas Mavericks]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA Standings – 2004–2005 |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/standings?season=2005&group=conference&seasontype=2&standType=standings |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> The Rockets won the first two games in Dallas, and Yao made 13 of 14&nbsp;shots in the second game, the best shooting performance in the playoffs in Rockets history.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/McGrady-Yao-want-to-emulate-Magic-Kareem-1920194.php |title=McGrady, Yao want to emulate Magic, Kareem |last=Feigen |first=Jonathan |date=April 27, 2005 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref> However, the Rockets lost four of their last five games and lost Game&nbsp;7 by 40&nbsp;points, the largest Game&nbsp;7 deficit in NBA history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mavericks Cruise Past Rockets in Game 7 |publisher=NBA |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20050507/HOUDAL/recap.html |access-date=March 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310185201/http://www.nba.com/games/20050507/HOUDAL/recap.html |archive-date=March 10, 2008}}</ref> Yao's final averages for the series were 21.4 points on 65% shooting and 7.7 rebounds.<ref name="ref4"/>

==== Career highs and injury-plagued seasons (2005–2011) ====
[[File:YaoMingonoffense2.jpg|thumb|left|upright|In his [[2006–07 NBA season|fifth season]], Yao averaged a career-high 25 points per game.]]
After missing only two games out of 246 in his first three years of NBA play,<ref name="ref1"/> Yao was rewarded with a five-year, $75 million extension during the 2005 offseason.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story?id=2148863&src=desktop|title=Yao Ming signs extension with Rockets|date=September 2005 |access-date=June 5, 2025}}</ref> However, he endured an extended period on the inactive list in his fourth season after developing [[osteomyelitis]] in the big toe on his left foot, and surgery was performed on the toe on December 18, 2005.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao Ming has surgery on toe, out several weeks |work=People's Daily |date=December 20, 2005 |url=http://english.people.com.cn/200512/20/eng20051220_229519.html |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> Despite missing 21 games while recovering,<ref name="ref1"/> Yao again had the most fan votes to start the [[2006 NBA All-Star Game]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao Ming headlines NBA all-stars |publisher=cbcsports.ca |date=February 3, 2006 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/yao-ming-headlines-nba-all-stars-1.573208 |access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref>

In 25&nbsp;games after 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Yao Ming 2005–06 Game Log |publisher=basketballreference.com |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pgl.cgi?player=mingya01&year=2006 |access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref> His final averages in 57&nbsp;games were 22.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.<ref name="ref4"/> It was the first time that he ended the season with a so-called "20/10" average. However, Tracy McGrady played only 47&nbsp;games in the season, missing time because of back spasms.<ref>{{Cite news |title=McGrady taken to hospital with severe back spasms |publisher=ESPN |date=January 9, 2006 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2285167 |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> Yao and McGrady played only 31&nbsp;games together,<ref>{{Cite news |title=As the countdown to training camp begins, it's no secret the team needs Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming on the floor as much as possible to make the playoffs |last=Feigen |first=Jonathan |work=Houston Chronicle |date=September 23, 2006 |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2006_4196519 |access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref> and the Rockets did not make the playoffs, winning only 34&nbsp;games.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA Standings – 2005–2006 |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/standings?season=2006&group=conference&seasontype=2&standType=standings |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> With only four games left in the season, Yao suffered another injury in a game against the [[Utah Jazz]] on April 10, 2006, which left him with a broken bone in his left foot. The injury required six months of rest.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao Ming has operation on broken foot |work=China Daily |date=April 15, 2006 |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2006-04/15/content_568538.htm |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref>

Early into his fifth season, Yao was injured again, this time breaking his right knee on December 23, 2006, while attempting to block a shot.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao to miss six weeks of NBA season |publisher=Xinhau |date=December 24, 2006 |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/24/content_5525938.htm |access-date=August 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112071034/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/24/content_5525938.htm |archive-date=January 12, 2009 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Up to that point he had been averaging 26.8&nbsp;points, 9.7&nbsp;rebounds and 2.3&nbsp;blocks per game, and had been mentioned as an [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|MVP]] candidate.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Legler |first=Tim |title=In value, Nash looking peerless |date=January 17, 2007 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-070117 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao emerging as MVP candidate |work=China Daily |date=December 20, 2006 |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2006-12/20/content_763352.htm |access-date=July 18, 2009}}</ref> Yao was unable to play in what would have been his fifth All-Star game;<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao on road to recovery, but will miss NBA All-Star Game |last=Zhao |first=Rui |work=China Daily |date=January 24, 2007 |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2007-01/25/content_791968.htm |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> he was medically cleared to play on March 4, 2007, after missing 32&nbsp;games.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao returns from broken leg against Cavs |publisher=ESPN |date=March 5, 2007 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2787899 |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref>

Despite Yao's absence, the Rockets made the playoffs with the home court advantage against the Utah Jazz in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA Standings – 2006–2007 |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/standings?season=2007&group=conference&seasontype=2&standType=standings |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> The Rockets won the first two games, but then lost four of five games<ref>{{cite web |title=Western Conference Round 1: Jazz vs. Rockets |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs2007/series?series=uthhou |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> and were eliminated in Game&nbsp;7 at home; Yao scored 29&nbsp;points—15 in the fourth quarter.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao: Blame me for 1st-round flameout |publisher=ESPN |date=May 3, 2007 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=270503026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615192202/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=270503026 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> Although he averaged 25.1&nbsp;points and 10.3&nbsp;rebounds for the series, Yao said afterwards "I didn't do my job".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao: Blame me for 1st-round flameout |last=Murphy |first=Michael |work=Houston Chronicle |date=May 6, 2007 |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4779281.html |access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref> At the end of the season, Yao was selected to the [[All-NBA Second Team]] for the first time in his career, after being selected to the All-NBA Third Team twice.<ref>{{Cite news |title=McGrady, Yao selected to All-NBA second team |last=Pierce |first=Damien |publisher=NBA |date=May 10, 2007 |url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/McGrady_Yao_selected_to_AllN-224766-34.html |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref>

On May 18, 2007, only weeks after the Rockets were eliminated from the playoffs, Jeff Van Gundy was dismissed as head coach.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Feigen |first=Jonathan |title=Changing of the Guard |work=Houston Chronicle |date=May 19, 2007 |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4349105 |access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref> Three days later, the Rockets signed former [[Sacramento Kings]] coach [[Rick Adelman]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Feigen |first=Jonathan |title=Deal sealed: Rockets reach agreement, will introduce new coach on Wednesday |work=Houston Chronicle |date=May 22, 2007 |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4350734 |access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref> who was thought to focus more on offense than the defensive-minded Van Gundy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Solomon |first=Jerome |title=Rockets will actually score under Adelman |work=Houston Chronicle |date=May 23, 2007 |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4351814 |access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dupree |first=David |title=Rockets may benefit from new coach, running mates |work=USA Today |date=May 23, 2007 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/rockets/2007-10-29-bonus_N.htm |access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref>

[[File:AAAA1801.jpg|thumb|Yao advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the only time in his career in 2009.]]
[[File:Gilbert Arenas and Yao Ming (2311322736).jpg|thumb|Yao playing against [[Gilbert Arenas]]]]
On November 9, 2007, Yao played against fellow Chinese NBA and [[Milwaukee Bucks]] player [[Yi Jianlian]] for the first time. The game, which the Rockets won 104–88, was broadcast on 19&nbsp;networks in China, and was watched by over 200&nbsp;million people in China alone, making it one of the most-watched NBA games in history.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao Ming's Rockets beat Yi Jianlian's Bucks 104–88 |publisher=ESPN |date=November 9, 2007 |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=3103080 |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> In the [[2008 NBA All-Star Game]], Yao was once again voted to start at center for the Western Conference.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Boston's Kevin Garnett Top Vote-Getter Among All-Stars |publisher=NBA |date=January 25, 2008 |url=http://www.nba.com/allstar2008/allstar_starters_080124.html |access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref> Before the All-Star weekend, the Rockets had won eight straight games, and after the break, they took their win streak to 12&nbsp;games. On February 26, 2008, however, it was reported that Yao would miss the rest of the season with a [[stress fracture]] in his left foot. He missed the [[2008 NBA playoffs]], but he did not miss the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] at Beijing, China in August.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao out for season with stress fracture |work=Houston Chronicle |date=February 26, 2008 |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/5571212.html |access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref> After Yao's injury, the Rockets stretched their winning streak to 22 games, at the time the second-longest such streak in NBA history.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Feigen |first=Jonathan |title=Rockets' streak ends at 22 with loss to Celtics |work=Houston Chronicle |date=March 19, 2008 |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5628617.html |access-date=April 20, 2008}}</ref> Yao underwent a successful operation on March 3, which placed screws in his foot to strengthen the bone, and recovery time was estimated at four months.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao undergoes successful foot surgery |url=http://www.nba.com/nba_news/yao_surgery.html |publisher=[[National Basketball Association|NBA]] |date=March 3, 2008 |access-date=April 9, 2008}}</ref> Yao's final averages in 55&nbsp;games were 22.0&nbsp;points, 10.8&nbsp;rebounds, and 2.0&nbsp;blocks a game.<ref name="ref4"/>

The [[2008–09 NBA season|next season]], Yao played 77 games, his first full season since the [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05 season]], and averaged 19.7 points and 9.9 rebounds, while shooting 54.8% from the field, and a career-high 86.6% from the free throw line.<ref name="ref4"/> Despite McGrady suffering a season-ending injury in February,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3916786 |title=Rockets learn of surgery through media |date=February 18, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> the Rockets finished with 53 wins and the fifth seed in the Western Conference.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/standings?season=2009 |title=NBA Standings – 2008–2009 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> Facing the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] in the first round, Yao finished with 24 points on 9-of-9 shooting in the first game, and the Rockets won 108–81, in Portland.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2009041822 |title=Yao has 24 points, Rockets beat Blazers 108–81 |last=Peterson |first=Anne M. |date=April 19, 2009 |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |access-date=May 10, 2009 |archive-date=April 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422213925/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2009041822 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Rockets won all their games in Houston,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2009/matchup/_/teams/rockets-trailblazers |title=2009 NBA Playoffs – First round – Rockets vs. Trailblazers – ESPN |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> and advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1997, and the first time in Yao's career.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=290430010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820081729/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=290430010 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 20, 2016 |title=Rockets reach second round for first time since '97 |date=April 30, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref>

The Rockets faced the Lakers in the second round, and Yao scored 28 points, with 8 points in the final four minutes, to lead the Rockets to a 100–92 win in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=290504013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202125412/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=290504013 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |title=Yao gets banged up, bounces back to lift Rockets |date=May 4, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> However, the Rockets lost their next two games,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=290506013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615190729/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=290506013 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |title=Kobe has 40, Artest ejected in Lakers' victory |date=May 6, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=290508010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615191014/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=290508010 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |title=Kobe's 33 points lift Lakers to Game 3 win in Houston |date=May 8, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> and Yao was diagnosed with a sprained ankle after Game 3.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/6416672.html |title=Yao has ankle sprain, Game 4 status uncertain |last=Feigen |first=Jonathan |date=May 9, 2009 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=May 10, 2009}}</ref> A follow-up test revealed a [[stress fracture|hairline fracture]] in his left foot, and he was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao Ming Out for Remainder of Playoffs |url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/YaoMingToMissRemainderOfPlayof-312446-34.html |publisher=[[National Basketball Association|NBA]] |date=May 9, 2009 |access-date=May 9, 2009}}</ref> In reaction, Yao said the injury, which did not require surgery, was "better than last year".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2009_4737649 |title=Yao out but not too down |last=Feigen |first=Jonathan |date=May 11, 2009 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=May 13, 2009}}</ref> However, follow-up analysis indicated that the injury could be career threatening.<ref name=apress>{{Cite news |title=Yao's Foot Injury Threatens His Career |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=June 29, 2009 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/sports/basketball/30sportsbriefs-yao.html}}</ref> The Yao-less Rockets went on to win Game 4 against the Lakers to even the series 2–2.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290510010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721040330/http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290510010 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |title=Yao-less Rockets rout Lakers, even series at 2–2 |date=May 10, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=May 11, 2009}}</ref> The Rockets eventually lost the series in seven games.

In July 2009, Yao discussed the injury with his doctors, and the Rockets applied for a disabled player exception, an exception to the [[NBA salary cap]] which grants the injured player's team money to sign a free agent.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4314726 |title=Move frees up money for moves |date=July 9, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> The Rockets were granted the exception, and used approximately $5.7&nbsp;million on free agent [[Trevor Ariza]]. After weeks of consulting, it was decided that Yao would undergo surgery in order to repair the broken bone in his left foot.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Yao_Ming_to_undergo_surgery_ne-319442-34.html |title=Yao Ming to Undergo Surgery Next Week |date=July 17, 2009 |publisher=NBA |access-date=July 17, 2009}}</ref> He did not play the entire [[2009–10 NBA season|2009–10 season]].<ref name=solomon>{{Cite news |last=Solomon |first=Jerome |title=Adelman has role in new season of '24' |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/solomon/7263887.html |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=October 25, 2010 |access-date=October 27, 2010 |quote=But he can come closer to doing it in 24 minutes than he could in zero, which is what he averaged last season.}}</ref>

For the [[2010–11 NBA season|2010–11 season]], the Rockets said they would limit Yao to 24 minutes a game, with no plan to play him on back-to-back nights. Their goal was to keep Yao healthy in the long term.<ref name=solomon/> On December 16, 2010, it was announced that Yao had developed a stress fracture in his left ankle, related to an older injury, and would miss the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-rockets-yao |title=Yao out for season with stress fracture |first=Kristie |last=Rieken |work=Yahoo! Sports via Associated Press |date=December 17, 2010 |access-date=December 18, 2010 |archive-date=November 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121025818/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-rockets-yao |url-status=dead}}</ref> In January 2011, he was voted as the Western Conference starting center for the [[2011 NBA All-Star Game|2011 All-Star Game]] for the eighth time in nine seasons. Injured All-Stars are usually required to attend the All-Star functions and to be introduced at the game, but Yao was not in Los Angeles because of his rehabilitation schedule after his surgery.<ref>{{cite news |last=Feigen |first=Jonathan |title=Yao voted West's starting center for All-Star Game |date=January 27, 2010 |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/7401525.html |access-date=January 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128171412/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/7401525.html |archive-date=January 28, 2011 |quote=Yao Ming's stress fracture and ankle surgery ended his season and could end his career, but could not keep him from being voted in as a starting center for the All-Star Game next month in Los Angeles. |url-status=dead}}</ref> Yao's contract with the Rockets expired at the end of the season, and he became a free agent.<ref name=ap_07112011>{{cite news |title=Report: Yao Ming set to retire |date=July 11, 2011 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=6755919 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714073334/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6755919 |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Retirement ===
On July 20, 2011, Yao announced his retirement from basketball in a press conference in Shanghai.<ref>{{cite news |last1=FlorCruz |first1=Jaime |last2=Hong |first2=Haolan |title=Yao Ming Retiring? Chinese Fans Hope Not Yet |date=July 11, 2011 |publisher=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/07/09/yao.ming/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712063115/http://www.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/07/09/yao.ming/ |archive-date=July 12, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=ap_07202011>{{cite web |title=Yao tells packed press conference in Shanghai he is retiring from NBA |date=July 20, 2011 |agency=Associated Press |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/basketball/nba/07/20/yao.retires.ap/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104161105/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/basketball/nba/07/20/yao.retires.ap/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |access-date=July 20, 2011}}</ref> He cited injuries to his foot and ankle, including the third fracture to his left foot sustained near the end of 2010.<ref name="chron.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/7660932.html |title=Rockets' Yao makes it official, retires from basketball – Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=July 20, 2011 |access-date=January 25, 2014}}</ref> His retirement sparked over 1.2&nbsp;million comments on the Chinese social-networking site [[Sina Weibo]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2011-07/20/c_13998245.htm |title=Yao retires, who will be the next "Chinese icon"? |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=July 20, 2011 |access-date=January 25, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127134015/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2011-07/20/c_13998245.htm |archive-date=November 27, 2013}}</ref> Reacting to Yao's retirement, NBA commissioner [[David Stern]] said Yao was a "bridge between Chinese and American fans" and that he had "a wonderful mixture of talent, dedication, humanitarian aspirations and a sense of humor."<ref name="chron.com"/> Shaquille O'Neal said Yao "was very agile. He could play inside, he could play outside, and if he didn't have those injuries he could've been up there in the top five centers to ever play the game."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Scheitrum |first1=Kevin |last2=Hareas |first2=John |last3=Martin |first3=Brian |title=NBA world reflects on Yao's importance to game |date=July 20, 2011 |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC |url=http://www.nba.com/2011/news/07/19/yao-quotes/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725001245/http://www.nba.com/2011/news/07/19/yao-quotes/index.html |archive-date=July 25, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Yao was nominated by a member of the Chinese media for the [[Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame]] as a contributor to the game. He would have been eligible for induction as early as 2012, but Yao felt it was too soon and requested that the Hall of Fame delay consideration of the nomination. The Hall granted Yao's request, and said it was Yao's decision when the process would be restarted.<ref>{{cite news |last=Duncan |first=Chris |title=Yao asks that Hall nomination be put on hold |date=August 31, 2011 |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/389408}}</ref>

On September 9, 2016, Yao was inducted into the Hall of Fame along with 4-time NBA champion [[Shaquille O'Neal]] and [[Allen Iverson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15129339/shaquille-oneal-lead-10-member-class-naismith-memorial-basketball-hall-fame |title=Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson highlight 2016 Hall of Fame class |date=April 4, 2016 |access-date=June 12, 2017 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> Continuing with the honors, on February 3, 2017, Yao's Number 11 jersey was retired by the Houston Rockets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/rockets-retire-yao-mings-11-halftime-game-vs-chicago-february-3-2016 |title=Rockets to Retire Yao Ming's #11 at Halftime of Game vs. Chicago on February 3, 2017 |publisher=NBA |date=December 28, 2016 |access-date=August 13, 2023}}</ref>

== National team career ==
[[File:YaoMingagainstMelbourne.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Yao was the [[FIBA World Cup Top Scorer|leading scorer]] of the [[2006 FIBA World Championship]].]]

=== 2000 and 2004 Olympics ===
Yao first played for China in the [[Basketball at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2000 Summer Olympics]], and he was dubbed, together with {{cvt|7|ft}} teammates [[Wang Zhizhi]] and [[Mengke Bateer]], "the Walking Great Wall".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/wang_zhizhi/bio.html |title=Wang ZhiZhi Bio Page |publisher=NBA |access-date=March 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307183852/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/wang_zhizhi/bio.html |archive-date=March 7, 2009}}</ref> During the [[2004 Athens Olympics]], Yao carried the [[Flag of China|Chinese flag]] during the [[opening ceremony]], which he said was a "long dream come true".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao Ming realizes his Olympic dream |work=China Daily |date=August 13, 2004 |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-08/13/content_364892.htm |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> He then vowed to abstain from shaving his beard for half a year unless the [[China men's national basketball team|Chinese national team]] made it into the quarter-finals of the [[Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2004 Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao bets his beard on China's top eight finish |work=People's Daily |date=August 12, 2004 |url=http://english.people.com.cn/200408/12/eng20040812_152754.html |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> After Yao scored 39&nbsp;points in a win against [[New Zealand national basketball team|New Zealand]], China lost 58–83, 57–82, and 52–89 against [[Spain national basketball team|Spain]], [[Argentina national basketball team|Argentina]] and [[Italy national basketball team|Italy]] respectively. In the final group game, however, a 67–66 win over the reigning [[2002 FIBA World Championship|2002 FIBA World Champions]] [[Serbia men's national basketball team|Serbia and Montenegro]] moved them into the quarterfinals. Yao scored 27&nbsp;points and had 13&nbsp;rebounds, and he hit two free throws with 28&nbsp;seconds left that proved to be the winning margin.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao lifts China into Olympic quarter-finals |date=August 24, 2004 |work=China Daily |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-08/24/content_368226.htm |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> He averaged 20.7&nbsp;points and 9.3&nbsp;rebounds per game while shooting 55.9% from the field.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA.com: Statistics: NBA Players on International Teams |publisher=NBA |url=http://www.nba.com/athens2004/nba_stats.html |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref>

=== Asian Cup ===
Yao led the [[Chinese national basketball team|Chinese national team]] to three consecutive [[FIBA Asia Cup]] gold medals, winning the [[2001 ABC Championship|2001 FIBA Asian Championship]], the [[2003 ABC Championship|2003 FIBA Asian Championship]], and the [[2005 FIBA Asia Championship|2005 FIBA Asian Championship]]. He was also named the [[FIBA Asia Cup Most Valuable Player|MVP of all three tournaments]].

=== 2006 World Championship ===
Yao's injury at the end of the 2005–06 NBA season required a full six months of rest, threatening his participation in the [[2006 FIBA World Championship]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=China sweats over Yao Ming's foot |publisher=redorbit.com |date=April 13, 2006 |url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/sports/468819/china_sweats_over_yao_mings_foot/ |access-date=August 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430102803/http://www.redorbit.com/news/sports/468819/china_sweats_over_yao_mings_foot/ |archive-date=April 30, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, he recovered before the start of the tournament, and in the last game of the preliminary round, he had 36&nbsp;points and 10&nbsp;rebounds in a win against [[Slovenia men's national basketball team|Slovenia]] to lead China into the [[Round of 16]].<ref name="slov">{{Cite news |title=Game Report, China vs Slovenia 78–77, GROUP D |publisher=FIBA.com |date=August 24, 2006 |url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/06_wcm/scheResu/p/eventid/3507/gamename/13/groupname/D/langid//playernumber//roundid/4742/selnodeid/627/teamnumber//zone//fe_scheStat_gameRepo.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205164550/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/06_wcm/scheResu/p/eventid/3507/gamename/13/groupname/D/langid/playernumber/roundid/4742/selnodeid/627/teamnumber/zone/fe_scheStat_gameRepo.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 5, 2008 |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> In the first knockout round, however, China was defeated by eventual finalist [[Greece men's national basketball team|Greece]].<ref name="slov"/> Yao's final averages were 25.3&nbsp;points, the [[FIBA Basketball World Cup Top Scorer|most in the tournament]], and 9.0&nbsp;rebounds a game, which was fourth overall.<ref>{{cite web |title=Game report, Greece v China 95–64, EIGHT-FINALS |publisher=FIBA.com |url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/06_wcm/teamPlay/play/p/eventid/3507/langlc/en/openNodeIDs/699/playernumber/28491/roundid/3507/season/0/selNodeID/699/teamnumber/262/fe_teamPlay_playStat.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012001900/http://fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/06_wcm/teamPlay/play/p/eventid/3507/langlc/en/openNodeIDs/699/playernumber/28491/roundid/3507/season/0/selNodeID/699/teamnumber/262/fe_teamPlay_playStat.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref>

=== 2008 Olympics ===
[[File:LeBron James vs Yao Ming - Olympics 2008.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Yao against [[LeBron James]] at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in Beijing]]
After having surgery to repair his fractured foot, Yao stated if he could not play in the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in Beijing, "It would be the biggest loss in my career to right now."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sheridan |first=Chris |title=Yao to play in Olympics? For now, the answer is Yes |publisher=ESPN |date=February 26, 2008 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=yaolympics-080226 |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> He returned to play with the Chinese national team on July 17, 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/olybb/news/story?id=3492985 |title=Yao returns at Stankovic Cup, raises hopes for China |date=July 17, 2008 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> On August 6, Yao carried the [[Olympic flame]] into [[Tiananmen Square]], as part of the [[2008 Summer Olympics torch relay|Olympic torch relay]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/oly/5927675.html |title=Yao carries Olympic torch |last=Blinebury |first=Fran |date=August 6, 2008 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=February 9, 2009}}</ref> He also [[2008 Summer Olympics Parade of Nations|carried the Chinese flag]] and led his [[China at the 2008 Summer Olympics|country's delegation]] during the [[2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony|opening ceremony]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSSP31355520080807 |title=Yao to carry China flag at opening ceremony |last=Mulvenney |first=Nick |date=August 7, 2008 |work=Reuters |access-date=August 7, 2008}}</ref> Yao scored the first basket of the game, a [[three-pointer]], in China's opening [[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008 Olympics Basketball Tournament]] game against the eventual [[2008 United States men's Olympic basketball team|gold medal-winning United States]].<ref name=mahoney>{{cite news |last=Mahoney |first=Brian |title=On Basketball: Yao did much in little time |date=July 11, 2011 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-onbasketball-yaolegacy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713071540/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-onbasketball-yaolegacy |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

"I was just really happy to make that shot", Yao said after the Americans' 101–70 victory. "It was the first score in our Olympic campaign here at home and I'll always remember it. It represents that we can keep our heads up in the face of really tough odds."<ref name=mahoney/>

Following an overtime defeat to [[Spain men's national basketball team|Spain]],<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/news/gameRepo/p/eventid/4004/gamename/5/groupname/B/langid/1/langlc/en/roundid/6450/repo.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922125817/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/news/gameRepo/p/eventid/4004/gamename/5/groupname/B/langid/1/langlc/en/roundid/6450/repo.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 22, 2008 |title=Spain shock China with fourth-quarter comeback and win in OT |date=August 12, 2008 |publisher=FIBA.com |access-date=February 3, 2009}}</ref> Yao scored 30 points in a win over [[Angola men's national basketball team|Angola]],<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/news/gameRepo/p/eventid/4004/gamename/8/groupname/B/langid/1/langlc/en/roundid/6450/repo.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920101951/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/news/gameRepo/p/eventid/4004/gamename/8/groupname/B/langid/1/langlc/en/roundid/6450/repo.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 20, 2008 |title=The time is Yao for China as hosts overcome Angola |date=August 14, 2008 |publisher=FIBA.com |access-date=February 3, 2009}}</ref> and 25 points in a three-point win against [[Germany men's national basketball team|Germany]],<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/news/gameRepo/p/eventid/4004/gamename/11/groupname/B/langid/1/langlc/en/roundid/6450/repo.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821065930/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/news/gameRepo/p/eventid/4004/gamename/11/groupname/B/langid/1/langlc/en/roundid/6450/repo.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 21, 2008 |title=Yao leads China in survival show against Nowitzki's Germany |date=August 16, 2008 |publisher=FIBA.com |access-date=February 3, 2009}}</ref> which clinched China's place in the quarterfinals. However, China lost to [[Lithuania men's national basketball team|Lithuania]] in the quarterfinals by 26 points,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/news/gameRepo/p/eventid/4004/gamename/A/groupname/32/langid/1/langlc/en/roundid/6451/repo.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822234144/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/news/gameRepo/p/eventid/4004/gamename/A/groupname/32/langid/1/langlc/en/roundid/6451/repo.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 22, 2008 |title=Lithuania end China's Olympic dream with blowout win |date=August 20, 2008 |publisher=FIBA.com |access-date=February 3, 2009}}</ref> eliminating them from the tournament. Yao's 19 points a game were the second-highest in the Olympics,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/stat/fe_stat_playLead.asp?competitioncode=&currentpagetodisplay=&fixeddate=&langlc=en&season=&roundID=4004&StatisticsPosition=ALL&StatisticsSection=PPG&StatisticsRoundID=ALL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080824051840/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/stat/fe_stat_playLead.asp?competitioncode=&currentpagetodisplay=&fixeddate=&langlc=en&season=&roundID=4004&StatisticsPosition=ALL&StatisticsSection=PPG&StatisticsRoundID=ALL |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 24, 2008 |title=Statistics: Players – Leaders – Points |publisher=FIBA.com |access-date=February 7, 2009}}</ref> and his averages of 8.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game were third overall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/stat/fe_stat_playLead.asp?competitioncode=&currentpagetodisplay=&fixeddate=&langlc=en&season=&roundID=4004&StatisticsPosition=ALL&StatisticsSection=RB&StatisticsRoundID=ALL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080813233749/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/stat/fe_stat_playLead.asp?competitioncode=&currentpagetodisplay=&fixeddate=&langlc=en&season=&roundID=4004&StatisticsPosition=ALL&StatisticsSection=RB&StatisticsRoundID=ALL |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 13, 2008 |title=Statistics: Players – Leaders: Rebounds |publisher=FIBA.com |access-date=February 7, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/stat/fe_stat_playLead.asp?competitioncode=&currentpagetodisplay=&fixeddate=&langlc=en&season=&roundID=4004&StatisticsPosition=ALL&StatisticsSection=BL&StatisticsRoundID=ALL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815013130/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/stat/fe_stat_playLead.asp?competitioncode=&currentpagetodisplay=&fixeddate=&langlc=en&season=&roundID=4004&StatisticsPosition=ALL&StatisticsSection=BL&StatisticsRoundID=ALL |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 15, 2008 |title=Statistics: Players – Leaders: Blocks |publisher=FIBA.com |access-date=February 7, 2009}}</ref>

===Chinese Basketball Association===
Yao served as chair of the [[Chinese Basketball Association]] from 2017 until his resignation in 2024 due to personal issues.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241031-yao-ming-quits-as-head-of-china-s-basketball-association |title=Yao Ming quits as head of China's basketball association |date=October 31, 2024 |publisher=France 24 |access-date=31 October 2024}}</ref>

== Career statistics ==
{{NBA player statistics legend}}

=== CBA statistics ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:right"
|-
!Year
!Team
!GP
!RPG
!APG
!FG%
!FT%
!PPG
|-
|[[1997–98 CBA season|1997–98]]
|[[Shanghai Sharks|Shanghai]]
|21
|8.3
|1.3
|.615
|.485
|10.0
|-
|[[1998–99 CBA season|1998–99]]
|Shanghai
|12
|12.9
|1.7
|.585
|.699
|20.9
|-
|[[1999–2000 CBA season|1999–00]]
|Shanghai
|33
|14.5
|1.7
|.585
|.683
|21.2
|-
|[[2000–01 CBA season|2000–01]]
|Shanghai
|22
|19.4
|2.2
|.679
|.799
|27.1
|-
|[[2001–02 CBA season|2001–02]]
|Shanghai
|24
|19.0
|1.9
|.721
|.759
|32.4
|-
|align=center colspan=2|Career
|122
|15.4
|1.8
|.651
|.723
|23.4
|}

=== NBA statistics ===

==== Regular season ====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2002}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2002–03 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
|'''82'''||72||29.0||.498||.500||.811||8.2||1.7||.4||1.8||13.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nowrap|{{nbay|2003}}}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2003–04 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
|'''82'''||'''82'''||32.8||.522||.000||.809||9.0||1.5||.3||1.9||17.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2004}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2004–05 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 80||80||30.6||'''.552'''||.000||.783||8.4||.8||.4||'''2.0'''||18.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2005}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2005–06 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 57||57||34.2||.519||.000||.853||10.2||1.5||'''.5'''||1.6||22.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2006}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2006–07 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 48||48||33.8||.516||.000||.862||9.4||2.0||.4||'''2.0'''||'''25.0'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2007}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2007–08 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 55||55||'''37.2'''||.507||.000||.850||'''10.8'''||'''2.3'''||'''.5'''||'''2.0'''||22.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2008}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2008–09 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 77||77||33.6||.548||'''1.000'''||.866||9.9||1.8||.4||1.9||19.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2010}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2010–11 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 5||5||18.2||.486||.000||'''.938'''||5.4||.8||.0||1.6||10.2
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2| Career
| 486||476||32.5||.524||.200||.833||9.2||1.6||.4||1.9||19.0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2| All-Star
| 6||6||17.0||.500||.000||.667||4.0||1.3||.2||.3||7.0
{{S-end}}

==== Playoffs ====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2004 NBA playoffs|2004]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2003–04 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 5||5||37.0||.456||.000||.765||7.4||'''1.8'''||'''.4'''||1.4||15.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2005 NBA playoffs|2005]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2004–05 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 7||7||31.4||'''.655'''||.000||.727||7.7||.7||.3||'''2.7'''||21.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2007 NBA playoffs|2007]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2006–07 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 7||7||'''37.1'''||.440||.000||.880||10.3||.9||.1||.7||'''25.1'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2009 NBA playoffs|2009]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2008–09 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| '''9'''||'''9'''||35.9||.545||.000||'''.902'''||'''10.9'''||1.0||'''.4'''||1.2||17.1
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2| Career
| 28||28||35.3||.519||.000||.833||9.3||1.0||.3||1.5||19.8
{{S-end}}

== 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
* NBA Rookie All-Star Game: 2004
* Gold medal winner with [[Chinese national basketball team|Team China]] at the [[2001 ABC Championship|2001]], [[2003 ABC Championship|2003]], and [[2005 FIBA Asia Championship|2005]] [[FIBA Asia Cup]]s
* [[FIBA Asia Cup Most Valuable Player|MVP of the 2001, 2003, 2005 FIBA Asia Cups]]
* FIBA Diamond Ball Top Scorer: [[2004 FIBA Diamond Ball|2004]]
* [[FIBA Basketball World Cup All-Tournament Team|All-Tournament Team]], [[FIBA World Cup]]: [[2002 FIBA World Championship|2002]]
* [[Chinese Basketball Association]] Champion: 2001–02
* Rebounding leader in CBA in 2001–02
* 2003 ''[[Sporting News]]'' Rookie of the Year
* 2003 ''[[Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year|Laureus Newcomer of the Year]]''
* 2005 Proletarian Award, issued by the [[Chinese Communist Party]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Ching-Ching |first=Ni |date=April 28, 2005 |title=Working-Class Hero? NBA Star Nets China's Proletarian Award |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-apr-28-fg-modelworker28-story.html |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
After Yao announced that he would enter the [[2002 NBA draft]], he told one American journalist that he had been studying English for two years, and that he liked the movie ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' but disliked [[hip hop]]. He was sometimes accompanied during interviews in Shanghai by one of his parents, whose basketball careers were derailed by the 1966–76 [[Cultural Revolution]], and who came to his Shanghai Sharks games on bicycles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fackler |first=Martin |title=Yao Ming Ready to Mix It Up with the NBA's Best |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://azdailysun.com/yao-ming-ready-to-mix-it-up-with-the-nba/article_a24a905d-8a21-5523-b13f-e0adc57fbeb9.html |access-date=July 29, 2019 |date=April 27, 2002}}</ref>
[[File:Yao Ming Interview.jpg|thumb|upright|Yao answers questions from reporters, October 2006]]
Yao met Chinese female basketball player [[Ye Li]] when he was 17 years old. Ye was not fond of Yao at first, but finally accepted him after he gave her the team pins he had collected during the [[2000 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="ref6">{{Cite news |title=Groomsman Fondly Recounts Yao Ming's Marriage |last=Zhou |first=Jing |publisher=china.org.cn |date=August 30, 2007 |url=http://www.china.org.cn/english/sports/222519.htm |access-date=March 16, 2008}}</ref> She is the only woman he has ever dated.<ref name=parade>{{Cite news |title=In Step With: Yao Ming |publisher=Parade Magazine |date=May 22, 2005 |url=http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2005/edition_05-22-2005/in_step_with_0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017193757/http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2005/edition_05-22-2005/in_step_with_0 |archive-date=October 17, 2006}}</ref> Their relationship became public when they appeared together during the 2004 Olympics closing ceremony.<ref name="ref6"/> On August 6, 2007, Yao and Ye married in a ceremony attended by close friends and family and closed to the media.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao's wedding unites East and North cultures |last=Zen |first=TC Cheng |work=Houston Chronicle |date=August 7, 2007 |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5029484.html |access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref> On May 21, 2010, the couple's daughter Yao Qinlei ({{lang-zh|姚沁蕾}}; her English name is Amy) was born in Houston, Texas.<ref name=ap_07202011/><ref>[http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2010/201007/20100730/article_444837.htm "Yao Ming's daughter named Amy".] ''Shanghai Daily''. July 30, 2010. Retrieved December 9, 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/7016936.html |title=Yao's wife gives birth to seven-pound, nine-ounce baby &#124; Chron.com – Houston Chronicle |date=May 21, 2010 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=May 22, 2010}}</ref>

In 2004, Yao co-wrote an autobiography with [[ESPN]] sportswriter [[Ric Bucher]], entitled ''Yao: A Life in Two Worlds''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Westbrook |first=Bruce |title=Yao's Life in Two Worlds |publisher=NBA |url=http://www.nba.com/features/yao_041001.html |access-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref> In the same year, he was also the subject of a documentary film, ''[[The Year of the Yao]]'', which focuses on his NBA rookie year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Westbrook |first=Bruce |title=The Year of the Yao |work=Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ae/movies/reviews/3134692.html |access-date=March 16, 2008}}</ref> The film is narrated by his friend and interpreter, Colin Pine.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lacy |first=Liam |title=The Year of the Yao |publisher=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/the-year-of-the-yao/article20421929/ |date=May 5, 2005 |access-date=August 5, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> In 2005, former ''[[Newsweek]]'' writer Brook Larmer published a book entitled ''Operation Yao Ming'', in which he said that Yao's parents were convinced to marry each other so that they would produce a dominant athlete, and that during Yao's childhood, he was given special treatment to help him become a great basketball player.<ref name="ref3"/> In a 2015 AMA post on [[Reddit]], Yao stated that this was not true and that he started playing basketball for fun at age 9.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2m7f9u/i_am_yao_ming_wildlife_advocate_ama/cm1li12 |title=I am Yao Ming, wildlife advocate. AMA.; Reddit.com |date=November 13, 2014}}</ref> In 2009, Yao provided the voice for a character of a Chinese animated film, ''[[The Magic Aster]]'', released on June 19.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yao Ming voices role in Chinese animated film |agency=Associated Press |date=June 5, 2009 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j93yJ7P3uihf1FK3Wpla69MtlgLgD98KBC7G0 |access-date=June 5, 2009}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Yao enrolled at the Antai College of Economics & Management of [[Shanghai Jiao Tong University]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chinese basketball star Yao Ming returns to college |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-15632407 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=November 7, 2011 |date=November 7, 2011}}</ref> He took a tailored degree program with mostly one-on-one lectures to avoid being a distraction on campus.<ref>{{cite web |title=Yao Ming begins college life |url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90882/7637877.html |work=Global Times |date=November 8, 2011}}</ref> Yao completed his studies in July 2018, graduating with a degree in economics after 7 years of study.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ryding |first1=Paul |title=NBA legend Yao Ming finally graduates from Shanghai University after seven years fulfilling a promise to his folks |date=July 10, 2018 |url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2154561/nba-legend-yao-ming-finally-graduates-shanghai-university-after-seven |publisher=South China Morning Post |access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Yao Ming graduates from college |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2018/07/09/yao-ming-graduates-college |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Polacek |first1=Scott |title=Yao Ming Earns Economics Degree from Chinese University 7 Years After Enrolling |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2785262-yao-ming-earns-economics-degree-from-chinese-university-7-years-after-enrolling |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kolur |first1=Nihal |title=Yao Ming Graduates From College in China After Seven Years |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2018/07/09/yao-ming-college-graduation-china-seven-years |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref>

In 2016, Yao opened a winery called Yao Family Wines in [[Napa Valley, California]], which serves [[Cabernet Sauvignon]] blends and "the kind of rich-but-balanced luxury reds he'd come to enjoy in Houston steakhouses."<ref name=wine>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardnalley/2016/10/26/behind-the-success-of-former-nba-star-yao-ming-napa-valley-california-winery/#641bd248100b |title=Tall Drink of Wine: Behind the Success of Yao Ming's Napa Valley Winery |last=Nalley |first=Richard |work=Forbes |date=October 26, 2016}}</ref> American wine critic [[Robert M. Parker Jr.]] of ''[[The Wine Advocate]]'' gave Yao's wine a ranking of 96 points and wrote: "I am aware of all the arguments that major celebrities lending their names to wines is generally a formula for mediocrity, but... the two Cabernets are actually brilliant, and the [[Reserve wine|reserve bottling]] ranks alongside just about anything made in Napa."<ref name=wine/>

==Other activities==

===Commercial engagements===
[[File:Secretary Kerry Chats With Former NBA Player Yao After Wildlife Trafficking Event in Beijing (14611584355) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Yao (left) with [[United States Secretary of State]] [[John Kerry]] at the [[U.S.–China Strategic and Economic Dialogue]] in 2014]]
Yao is one of China's most recognizable athletes, along with [[Liu Xiang (hurdler)|Liu Xiang]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Patrick |first=Dick |title=Yao Ming's Injury Could Send Reebok Reeling |work=USA Today |date=May 24, 2006 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/summer/track/2006-05-24-beijing-hurdles_x.htm |access-date=March 20, 2008}}</ref> As of 2009, he had led [[Forbes]]' [[China Celebrity 100|Chinese celebrities list]] in income and popularity for six straight years, earning US$51&nbsp;million ([[CN¥]]357&nbsp;million) in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/showbiz/2009-03/18/content_7591787.htm |title=Yao tops forbes list again, but Ziyi catches up |date=March 18, 2009 |work=China Daily |access-date=March 28, 2009}}</ref> A major part of his income comes from his sponsorship deals,<ref name="ref7">{{Cite news |last=Pells |first=Eddie |work=Houston Chronicle |title=Injury doesn't diminish Yao's ability to sell products |date=March 11, 2008 |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5610303.html |access-date=March 16, 2008}}</ref> as he is under contract with several major companies to endorse their products. He was signed by [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] until the end of his rookie season. When Nike decided not to renew his contract, he signed with [[Reebok]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rovell |first=Darren |title=Yao Ming's Injury Could Send Reebok Reeling |publisher=[[CNBC]] |date=September 14, 2007 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2008/02/27/yao-mings-injury-could-send-reebok-reeling.html?__source=RSS*blog*&par=RSS |access-date=March 16, 2008}}</ref> He also had a deal with [[Pepsi]], and he successfully sued [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]] in 2003 when they used his image on their bottles while promoting the national team.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao Ming, Coke's China subsidiary settle lawsuit |publisher=ESPN |date=October 17, 2003 |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?id=1640181 |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> He eventually signed with Coca-Cola for the 2008 Olympics.<ref name="ref7"/> His other deals include partnerships with [[Visa Inc.|Visa]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=A Brand Called Yao |date=February 10, 2003 |last=Walker |first=Rob |publisher=Slate.com |url=http://www.slate.com/id/2078291/ |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> [[Apple Inc.|Apple]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao Ming stars in Apple commercial |publisher=basketball365.co.uk |date=February 17, 2003 |url=http://www.basketball365.co.uk/apple170203.htm |access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> [[Garmin]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=Garmin Nets Partnership with NBA Superstar Yao Ming |publisher=Garmin.com |date=April 12, 2005 |url=http://www8.garmin.com/pressroom/corporate/041205.html |access-date=August 23, 2008 |archive-date=March 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302153013/http://www8.garmin.com/pressroom/corporate/041205.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[McDonald's]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao stands tall for McDonald's |last=Hoffman |first=Ken |work=Houston Chronicle |date=March 11, 2008 |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2004_3743308 |access-date=March 16, 2008}}</ref>

On July 16, 2009, Yao bought his former club team, the [[Shanghai Sharks]], which were on the verge of not being able to play the next season of the [[Chinese Basketball Association]] because of financial troubles.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4330776 |title=Yao buys Shanghai Sharks |date=July 16, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref>

===Philanthropy===
Yao has also participated in many charity events during his career, including the NBA's [[Basketball Without Borders]] program.<ref>{{cite web |title=Basketball without Borders—Asia |publisher=NBA |url=http://www.nba.com/bwb/asia2005_report.html |access-date=March 16, 2008}}</ref> In the NBA's offseason in 2003, Yao hosted a telethon, which raised US$300,000 to help stop the spread of [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome|SARS]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao implores everyone to join in battling SARS |publisher=ESPN |date=May 8, 2003 |url=https://assets.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0508/1550841.html |access-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref> In September 2007, he held an auction that raised US$965,000 (CN¥6.75&nbsp;million),<ref>{{Cite news |title=Basketball stars raise 7&nbsp;million yuan at charity auction |publisher=Xinhau |date=September 14, 2007 |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/14/content_6720883.htm |access-date=March 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602062126/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/14/content_6720883.htm |archive-date=June 2, 2008 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> and competed in a charity basketball match to raise money for underprivileged children in China. He was joined by fellow NBA stars [[Steve Nash]], [[Carmelo Anthony]], and [[Baron Davis]], and Hong Kong actor [[Jackie Chan]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yao scores 21 points in charity game |publisher=Xinhau |date=September 14, 2007 |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/15/content_6724598.htm |access-date=March 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601225634/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/15/content_6724598.htm |archive-date=June 1, 2008 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> After the [[2008 Sichuan earthquake]], Yao donated $2&nbsp;million to relief work and created the Yao Ming Foundation to help rebuild schools destroyed in the earthquake.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/yao_foundation_080610.html |title=Yao Ming Announces Launch of Foundation |date=June 10, 2008 |publisher=NBA |access-date=May 13, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theyaomingfoundation.org/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112164130/http://www.theyaomingfoundation.org/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 12, 2010 |title=The Yao Ming Foundation |website=www.theyaomingfoundation.org |access-date=February 9, 2018 }}</ref>

===Conservation work===
[[File:Yao Ming in Beijing in 2016 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Yao in Beijing in 2016]]
Yao partnered with [[WildAid]] to appear in commercials and documentaries to educate citizens on the harmful effects of [[shark fin soup]] on shark species. From 2011 to 2018, consumption of shark fin soup dropped by 70% in China.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Musaddique |first=Shafi |title=Yao Ming: NBA legend builds schools, fights shark fin soup in China |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/16/yao-ming-nba-legend-builds-schools-fights-shark-fin-soup-in-china.html |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=CNBC |date=July 20, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> In August 2012, Yao started filming a documentary about the [[northern white rhinoceros]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Rhishja Cota-Larson |url=http://planetsave.com/2012/08/17/rhino-crisis-round-up-yao-ming-in-kenya-more/ |title=Rhino Crisis Round Up: Yao Ming in Kenya & More |publisher=PlanetSave |date=August 17, 2012 |access-date=January 25, 2014}}</ref> He is also an ambassador for [[Elephant#Conservation|elephant conservation]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21565651-conservationists-use-new-tactics-battle-poachers-brought-tusk |newspaper=The Economist |title=Brought to tusk |date=November 3, 2012}}</ref> In 2014, he was also part of the documentary ''[[The End of the Wild]]'' about elephant conservation. Yao has filmed a number of public service announcements for elephant and rhino conservation for the "Say No" campaign with partners African Wildlife Foundation and WildAid.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.awf.org/projects/say-no-campaign |title=Say No Campaign |date=June 30, 2014 |publisher=African Wildlife Foundation |access-date=June 30, 2014}}</ref>

===Politics===
On March 3, 2013, Yao attended the First Session of the [[Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference|12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference]] as one of its 2,200 members.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yao Ming a focus at CPPCC venue - China.org.cn |url=http://www.china.org.cn/china/NPC_CPPCC_2013/2013-03/03/content_28113072_3.htm |access-date=2021-03-25 |website=www.china.org.cn}}</ref> He was a member of the CPPCC from 2013 to 2018. While he is involved in Chinese politics, he is not a member of the [[Chinese Communist Party]], although he has been awarded the Proletarian Award by the party for his spreading of literacy and [[socialist]] ideologies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Not your average Chinese worker |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7676754 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204021938/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7676754 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 4, 2022 |access-date=2021-03-25 |website=NBC News |date=April 29, 2005 |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards]]
* [[List of tallest players in National Basketball Association history]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* Pu, H. (2016). [https://doi.org/10.1080/21640599.2016.1191703 Mediating the giants: Yao Ming, NBA and the cultural politics of Sino-American relations]. Asia Pacific Journal of Sport and Social Science, 5(2), 87–107.
* Wang, C. (2004). [https://doi.org/10.1080/1464937042000236748 Capitalizing the big man: Yao Ming, Asian America, and the China Global]. [[Inter-Asia Cultural Studies]], 5(2), 263–278.

== External links ==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|Yao_Ming_article_recording.ogg|date=2012-01-17}}
* {{Commons category-inline|Yao Ming}}
* {{Basketball stats|nba=yao_ming|bbr=m/mingya01}}
* {{Olympedia}}
* {{Olympics.com profile}}
* {{Chinese Olympic Committee|1314|en_archive=20210202010924|zh_archive=20191010142126}}
* {{IMDb name|1495244}}
* [http://theyaomingfoundation.org/ The Yao Ming Foundation official website]

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