Yao Ming's Basketball Career

Basketball Legends

Overview Career Stats Achievements Legacy Facts

Yao Ming

/jaʊ mɪŋ/
Basketball Player Hall of Famer

Born: September 12, 1980 in Shanghai, China

Height: 7'6" (2.29 m)

Position: Center

📊 Career Statistics

NBA Career (2002-2011)

Houston Rockets #11

19.0 PPG | 9.2 RPG | 1.9 BPG
486 games played
Regular Season

International Career

Chinese National Team

3× Olympic appearances
Led China to 2004 & 2008 quarterfinals
FIBA

CBA Career (1997-2002)

Shanghai Sharks

2002 CBA Champion
Finals MVP with 41.3 PPG
Chinese League

Yao's NBA career was shortened by foot injuries, but he revolutionized basketball's popularity in China and became the most successful Asian player in NBA history.

🏀 Career Highlights

NBA Achievements

8× NBA All-Star (2003-2009, 2011)

5× All-NBA Team selections

NBA Rookie of the Year (2003)

International Honors

FIBA Hall of Fame (2021)

3× Asian Championship MVP

CBA Champion (2002)

🏆 Major Achievements

NBA Records
First overall pick (2002)

First international #1 pick without U.S. college experience

Cultural Impact
Global ambassador

Bridged NBA and Chinese basketball markets

Career Milestones:

Notable Facts

  • Tallest player in Rockets franchise history
  • First Chinese player inducted into NBA Hall of Fame
  • Only player with 30+ points in first 6 NBA games

🌐 Global Legacy

NBA Globalization

Expanded NBA's reach to China

"Yao Ming Effect"
Increased Chinese viewership from 2M to 30M+
Cultural Impact

Post-Retirement

Basketball administration

CBA President
Reformed Chinese basketball system
Leadership

Philanthropy

Yao Foundation

Built 23 schools
Donated $2M+ for disaster relief
Charity

Career Timeline

1997: CBA debut (Shanghai Sharks)
2002: NBA Draft #1 pick
2011: Retirement announcement

📈 Impact Analysis

Before vs. After Yao

Pre-Yao: Limited NBA presence in China

Post-Yao: 500M+ Chinese basketball fans

Pre-Yao: Few Asian NBA players

Post-Yao: Pathway for international talent

ℹ️ Quick Facts

Personal Life

• Married to Ye Li (2007)
• Daughter Yao Qinlei (born 2010)
• Fluent in Mandarin and English
• Owns Shanghai Sharks franchise

Physical Attributes

• Height: 7'6" (2.29 m)
• Weight: 310 lbs (141 kg)
• Wingspan: 7'5" (2.26 m)
• Shoe size: US 18 (EU 52)

Career Honors

1. Naismith Hall of Fame (2016)
2. FIBA Hall of Fame (2021)
3. CBA Champion (2002)
4. 8× NBA All-Star