Yao ming biography imdb 2016

Chinese basketball player (born 1980)

For the singer, see Yao Min.

In this Chinese name, the kindred name is Yao.

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

Yao Ming (Chinese: 姚明; born Sept 12, 1980) is a Asiatic basketball executive and former outdated player.

He played for class Shanghai Sharks of the Asiatic Basketball Association (CBA) and righteousness Houston Rockets of the Tribal Basketball Association (NBA). Yao was selected to start for position Western Conference in the NBA All-Star Game eight times, gain was named to the All-NBA Team five times. During realm final season, he was decency tallest active player in grandeur NBA, at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m).^[1]

Yao, who was born in Nobble, started playing for the Sharks as a teenager, and worked on their senior team assimilate five years in the CBA, winning a championship in rule final year.

After negotiating write down the CBA and the Sharks to secure his release, Yao was selected by the Rockets as the first overall unpack in the 2002 NBA compose. He reached the NBA playoffs four times, and the Rockets won the first-round series entice the 2009 postseason, their lid playoff series victory since 1997. In July 2011, Yao declared his retirement from professional hoops because of a series strain foot and ankle injuries which forced him to miss 250 games in his last appal seasons.^[2] In eight seasons monitor the Rockets, Yao ranks ordinal among franchise leaders in integral points and total rebounds, become more intense second in total blocks.^[3]

Yao legal action one of China's best-known athletes internationally, with sponsorships with distinct major companies.

His rookie crop in the NBA was loftiness subject of a documentary vinyl, The Year of the Yao, and he co-wrote, along best NBA analyst Ric Bucher, apartment building autobiography titled Yao: A Living in Two Worlds. Known take away China as the "Yao Inconsolable Phenomenon" and in the Allied States as the "Ming Dynasty", Yao's success in the NBA, and his popularity among fans, made him a symbol rob a new China that was both more modern and complicate confident.^[4] Yao is also veto entrepreneur and owner of Yao Family Wines in Napa Dale, California.^[5]

In April 2016, Yao was elected into the Naismith Statue Basketball Hall of Fame, conjoin Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson, becoming the first Chinese public to be inducted into picture Hall of Fame.^[6][7] In Feb 2017, Yao was unanimously choice as chairman of the Asian Basketball Association.^[8] Yao had clever storied career as a participator of the Chinese national team.^[9] With the national team, Yao won the FIBA Asia Beaker in 2001, 2003, and 2005, winning MVP of the meet all three times.^[10] He further made the All-Tournament Team assume the FIBA World Cup delicate 2002.

Yao retired from probity Chinese national team after blue blood the gentry 2008 Beijing Olympics.^[11][12]

Early life

Yao In the offing was born on September 12, 1980, in Shanghai, China.^[13] Perform is the only child all but 6-foot-7-inch (2.01 m) Yao Zhiyuan bid 6-foot-3-inch (1.91 m) Fang Fengdi,^[14] both of whom were former white-collar basketball players.^[15] At 11 pounds (5.0 kg), Yao weighed more surpass twice as much as glory average Chinese newborn.^[16] When Yao was nine years old, dirt began playing basketball and sharp a junior sports school.^[17] Primacy following year, Yao measured 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m)^[18] and was examined by sports doctors, who sound he would grow to 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m).^[18]

Professional career

Shanghai Sharks (1997–2002)

Yao first tried out for leadership Shanghai Sharks' junior team a choice of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) when he was 13 majority old, and practiced ten a day for his acceptance.^[19] After playing with the growing team for four years, Yao joined the Sharks' senior group, where he averaged 10 points suffer 8 rebounds a game in wreath rookie season.

His next bout was cut short when crystal-clear broke his foot for magnanimity second time in his job, which Yao said decreased wreath jumping ability by four cut short six inches (10 to 15 cm).^[20] The Sharks made the finals of the CBA in Yao's third season and again justness next year, but lost both times to the Bayi Rockets.

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

Houston Rockets (2002–2011)

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

to serve as his emissary. The agreement entitled Evergreen constitute 33% of Yao's earnings,^[16] on the contrary the contract was later strongwilled to be invalid.^[23]

As American control on Yao grew, Chinese bureaucracy also took interest. In 2002, the Chinese government released fresh regulations that would require him and other Chinese players cause somebody to turn over half of rich NBA earnings to the make and China's national basketball reaper, including endorsements as well whereas salaries.^[24]

When Yao decided to put down the 2002 NBA draft, copperplate group of advisers was discerning that came to be destroy as "Team Yao".

The line-up consisted of Yao's negotiator, Erik Zhang; his NBA agent, Worth Duffy; his Chinese agent, Lu Hao; University of Chicago finance professor John Huizinga;^[25] and grandeur vice president for marketing trim BDA Sports Management, Bill Sanders.^[26] Yao was widely predicted put a stop to be picked number one overall.^[27][28][29] However, some teams were caring about Yao's NBA eligibility on account of of uncertainty over whether rendering CBA would let Yao exert in the United States.^[30]

Shortly end Wang Zhizhi refused to reimburse to China to play confirm the national team and was subsequently banned from playing put under somebody's nose China,^[31] the CBA stipulated put off Yao would have to reappear to play for the ceremonial team.^[32] They also said they would not let him walk into to the United States unless the Houston Rockets would outlook him first overall.^[33] After assurances from Team Yao that position Rockets would draft Yao do business their number one pick, rendering CBA gave permission on distinction morning of the draft kindle Yao to play in probity U.S.^[34] When the Rockets elect Yao with the first option of the draft, he became the first international player day in to be selected first extensive without having previously played U.S.

college basketball.^[35]

Beginning years (2002–2005)

Yao sincere not participate in the Rockets' pre-season training camp, instead completion for China in the 2002 FIBA World Championships.^[36] Before leadership season, several commentators, including Reckoning Simmons and Dick Vitale, credible that Yao would fail of great consequence the NBA,^[37][38] and Charles Pol said he would "kiss Kenny Smith's ass" if Yao scored more than 19 points in give someone a buzz of his rookie-season games.^[39] Yao played his first NBA distraction against the Indiana Pacers, score no points and grabbing brace rebounds,^[40][41] and scored his prime NBA basket against the Denver Nuggets.^[42] In his first digit games, he averaged only 14 minutes and 4 points, but on Nov 17, he scored 20 points adjustment a perfect 9-of-9 from prestige field and 2-of-2 from grandeur free-throw line against the Lakers.^[43] Barkley made good on fillet bet by kissing the cheek of a donkey purchased newborn Smith for the occasion (Smith's "ass").^[39]

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

Before Yao's cap meeting with Shaquille O'Neal profession January 17, 2003, O'Neal spoken, "Tell Yao Ming, ching chong-yang-wah-ah-soh", prompting accusations of racism.^[46] O'Neal denied that his comments were racist, and said he was only joking.^[48] Yao also voiced articulate he believed O'Neal was jocular, but he said a chronicle of Asians would not honor the humor.^[48][49] In the undertaking, Yao scored the Rockets' twig six points of the operation and blocked O'Neal twice false the opening minutes as be a triumph as altering two other shots by O'Neal, all 4 ad infinitum those attempts coming right efficient the rim, and made expert game-sealing dunk with 10 seconds omitted in overtime.^[50] Yao finished mount 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks; O'Neal recorded 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 0 blocks.^[51] O'Neal later expressed regret compel the way he treated Yao early in his career.^[52]

The NBA began offering All-Star ballots derive three languages—English, Spanish and Chinese—for fan voting of the starters for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game.^[53] Yao was voted hit start for the West spin O'Neal, who was coming cleft three consecutive NBA Finals Player Awards.^[54] Yao received nearly neat as a pin quarter million more votes outstrip O'Neal, and he became significance first rookie to start include the All-Star Game since Endow Hill in 1995.^[55]

Yao finished sovereign rookie season averaging 13.5 points wallet 8.2 rebounds per game,^[56] and was second in the NBA Tyro of the Year Award poll to Amar'e Stoudemire,^[57] and unornamented unanimous pick for the NBA All-Rookie First Team selection.^[58] Take steps was also voted the Sporting News Rookie of the Year,^[59] and won the Laureus Foreigner of the Year award.^[60]

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

After Automobile Gundy began focusing the thud on Yao,^[62] Yao averaged activity highs in points and rebounds for the season, and abstruse a career-high 41 points and 7 assists in a triple-overtime win dispute the Atlanta Hawks in Feb 2004.^[63] He was also nominated to be the starting soul for the Western Conference cage the 2004 NBA All-Star Operation for the second straight year.^[64] Yao finished the season averaging 17.5 points and 9.0 rebounds a game.^[56] The Rockets bound the playoffs for the leading time in Yao's career, claiming the seventh seed in rendering Western Conference.

In the foremost round, however, the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated Houston in cinque games.^[65] Yao averaged 15.0 outcome and 7.4 rebounds in dominion first playoff series.^[56]

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

He can do timeconsuming amazing things."^[67] After the employment, it was predicted that class Rockets would be title contenders.^[66][68] Both McGrady and Yao were voted to start in integrity 2005 NBA All-Star Game, accept Yao broke the record earlier held by Michael Jordan on most All-Star votes, with 2,558,278 total votes.^[69] The Rockets won 51 games and finished fifth fence in the West, and made justness playoffs for the second in succession year, where they faced prestige Dallas Mavericks.^[70] The Rockets won the first two games extract Dallas, and Yao made 13 of 14 shots in the in a tick game, the best shooting function in the playoffs in Rockets history.^[71] However, the Rockets strayed four of their last fin games and lost Game 7 rough 40 points, the largest Game 7 inadequacy in NBA history.^[72] Yao's terminal averages for the series were 21.4 points on 65% serious and 7.7 rebounds.^[56]

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

After missing sole two games out of 246 in his first three age of NBA play,^[14] Yao endured an extended period on honesty inactive list in his accommodate season after developing osteomyelitis paddock the big toe on monarch left foot, and surgery was performed on the toe triumph December 18, 2005.^[73] Despite lacking 21 games while recovering,^[14] Yao again had the most adherent votes to start the 2006 NBA All-Star Game.^[74]

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

However, Tracy McGrady played only 47 games in influence season, missing time because catch the fancy of back spasms.^[76] Yao and McGrady played only 31 games together,^[77] paramount the Rockets did not assemble the playoffs, winning only 34 games.^[78] With only four games keep upright in the season, Yao allowed another injury in a pastime against the Utah Jazz fascinate April 10, 2006, which left-hand him with a broken whiteness in his left foot.

Say publicly injury required six months acquisition rest.^[79]

Early into his fifth time, Yao was injured again, that time breaking his right ginglymus on December 23, 2006, deep-rooted attempting to block a shot.^[80] Up to that point appease had been averaging 26.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, weather had been mentioned as ending MVP candidate.^[81][82] Yao was not able to play in what would have been his fifth All-Star game;^[83] he was medically ensnare to play on March 4, 2007, after missing 32 games.^[84]

Despite Yao's absence, the Rockets made glory playoffs with the home pay suit to advantage against the Utah Malarkey in the first round.^[85] Blue blood the gentry Rockets won the first team a few games, but then lost pair of five games^[86] and were eliminated in Game 7 at home; Yao scored 29 points—15 in probity fourth quarter.^[87] Although he averaged 25.1 points and 10.3 rebounds for distinction series, Yao said afterwards "I didn't do my job".^[88] Sort the end of the term, Yao was selected to rendering All-NBA Second Team for distinction first time in his activity, after being selected to dignity All-NBA Third Team twice.^[89]

On Might 18, 2007, only weeks back end the Rockets were eliminated yield the playoffs, Jeff Van Gundy was dismissed as head coach.^[90] Three days later, the Rockets signed former Sacramento Kings guru Rick Adelman,^[91] who was gloomy to focus more on behavior than the defensive-minded Van Gundy.^[92][93]

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

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

On Feb 26, 2008, however, it was reported that Yao would allow to go the rest of the interval with a stress fracture embankment his left foot. He uncomprehensible the 2008 NBA playoffs, nevertheless he did not miss authority 2008 Summer Olympics at Peiping, China in August.^[96] After Yao's injury, the Rockets stretched their winning streak to 22 courageouss, at the time the second-longest such streak in NBA history.^[97] Yao underwent a successful transaction on March 3, which to be found screws in his foot register strengthen the bone, and keep afloat time was estimated at quadruplet months.^[98] Yao's final averages regulate 55 games were 22.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, jaunt 2.0 blocks a game.^[56]

The next occasion, Yao played 77 games, her highness first full season since rank 2004–05 season, and averaged 19.7 points and 9.9 rebounds, at the same time as shooting 54.8% from the a good deal, and a career-high 86.6% get round the free throw line.^[56] Contempt McGrady suffering a season-ending slash anguish in February,^[99] the Rockets terminated with 53 wins and rank fifth seed in the Adventure Conference.^[100] Facing the Portland Track Blazers in the first circular, Yao finished with 24 proof on 9-of-9 shooting in integrity first game, and the Rockets won 108–81, in Portland.^[101] Representation Rockets won all their courageouss in Houston,^[102] and advanced curry favor the second round of blue blood the gentry playoffs for the first at the double since 1997, and the principal time in Yao's career.^[103]

The Rockets faced the Lakers in magnanimity second round, and Yao scored 28 points, with 8 entrance in the final four transcript, to lead the Rockets make a distinction a 100–92 win in Los Angeles.^[104] However, the Rockets misplaced their next two games,^[105][106] ride Yao was diagnosed with tidy sprained ankle after Game 3.^[107] A follow-up test revealed uncluttered hairline fracture in his stay poised foot, and he was ruled out for the remainder admit the playoffs.^[108] In reaction, Yao said the injury, which upfront not require surgery, was "better than last year".^[109] However, consequence analysis indicated that the hurt could be career threatening.^[110] Blue blood the gentry Yao-less Rockets went on hold down win Game 4 against blue blood the gentry Lakers to even the pile 2–2.^[111] The Rockets eventually strayed the series in seven glee.

In July 2009, Yao enthral the injury with his doctors, and the Rockets applied promoter a disabled player exception, proposal exception to the NBA down payment cap which grants the throb player's team money to hand on a free agent.^[112] The Rockets were granted the exception, gift used approximately $5.7 million on resourceful agent Trevor Ariza.

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

For influence 2010–11 season, the Rockets thought they would limit Yao pact 24 minutes a game, industrial action no plan to play him on back-to-back nights.

Their map was to keep Yao unstable in the long term.^[114] Supremacy December 16, 2010, it was announced that Yao had mature a stress fracture in fulfil left ankle, related to rest older injury, and would desire the rest of the season.^[115] In January 2011, he was voted as the Western Forum starting center for the 2011 All-Star Game for the one-eighth time in nine seasons.

Skinned All-Stars are usually required brand attend the All-Star functions perch to be introduced at description game, but Yao was call in Los Angeles because collide his rehabilitation schedule after tiara surgery.^[116] Yao's contract with class Rockets expired at the drainpipe of the season, and fiasco became a free agent.^[117]

Retirement

On July 20, 2011, Yao announced king retirement from basketball in unblended press conference in Shanghai.^[118][119] Appease cited injuries to his walk and ankle, including the position fracture to his left plinth sustained near the end unknot 2010.^[120] His retirement sparked respect 1.2 million comments on the Sinitic social-networking site Sina Weibo.^[121] Reacting to Yao's retirement, NBA nuncio David Stern said Yao was a "bridge between Chinese turf American fans" and that bankruptcy had "a wonderful mixture chastisement talent, dedication, humanitarian aspirations endure a sense of humor."^[120] Shaquille O'Neal said Yao "was upturn agile.

He could play interior, he could play outside, extra if he didn't have those injuries he could've been buoy up there in the top quint centers to ever play dignity game."^[122]

Yao was nominated by span member of the Chinese travel ormation technol for the Naismith Basketball Entry of Fame as a good samaritan to the game.

He would have been eligible for first acquaintance as early as 2012, however Yao felt it was likewise soon and requested that goodness Hall of Fame delay concern of the nomination. The Foyer granted Yao's request, and put into words it was Yao's decision during the time that the process would be restarted.^[123]

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

National line-up career

2000 and 2004 Olympics

Yao leading played for China in rendering 2000 Summer Olympics, and purify was dubbed, together with 7 ft (2.1 m) teammates Wang Zhizhi unthinkable Mengke Bateer, "the Walking Undisturbed Wall".^[126] During the 2004 Athinai Olympics, Yao carried the Asian flag during the opening ceremonial, which he said was a-ok "long dream come true".^[127] Sand then vowed to abstain bring forth shaving his beard for hemisphere a year unless the Asian national team made it put away the quarter-finals of the 2004 Olympics.^[128] After Yao scored 39 points in a win against In mint condition Zealand, China lost 58–83, 57–82, and 52–89 against Spain, Argentina and Italy respectively.

In depiction final group game, however, swell 67–66 win over the commanding 2002 FIBA World ChampionsSerbia impressive Montenegro moved them into goodness quarterfinals. Yao scored 27 points refuse had 13 rebounds, and he delivery two free throws with 28 seconds left that proved to nurture the winning margin.^[129] He averaged 20.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per business while shooting 55.9% from influence field.^[130]

Asian Cup

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

He was besides named the MVP of describe three tournaments.

2006 World Championship

Yao's injury at the end female the 2005–06 NBA season mandatory a full six months mean rest, threatening his participation pull the 2006 FIBA World Championship.^[131] However, he recovered before position start of the tournament, accept in the last game manipulate the preliminary round, he difficult to understand 36 points and 10 rebounds in elegant win against Slovenia to be in charge China into the Round doomed 16.^[132] In the first kayo round, however, China was cowed by eventual finalist Greece.^[132] Yao's final averages were 25.3 points, interpretation most in the tournament, direct 9.0 rebounds a game, which was fourth overall.^[133]

2008 Olympics

After having therapy action towards to repair his fractured settle up, Yao stated if he could not play in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, "It would be the biggest setback in my career to give birth to now."^[134] He returned to hurl with the Chinese national group on July 17, 2008.^[135] Expulsion August 6, Yao carried righteousness Olympic flame into Tiananmen Equilateral, as part of the Athletics torch relay.^[136] He also jaunt the Chinese flag and spaced out his country's delegation during rank opening ceremony.^[137] Yao scored grandeur first basket of the effort, a three-pointer, in China's break 2008 Olympics Basketball Tournament distraction against the eventual gold medal-winning United States.^[138]

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

"It was decency first score in our Athletics campaign here at home accept I'll always remember it. Restraint represents that we can disobey our heads up in character face of really tough odds."^[138]

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

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

Chinese Basketball Association

Yao served although chair of the Chinese Hoops Association from 2017 until resignation in 2024 due end personal issues.^[146]

Career statistics

GP	Games touched	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field argument percentage	3P%	3-point field ambition percentage	FT%	Free throw arrangement
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks dense game	PPG	Points per play	Bold	Career high

CBA statistics

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

NBA statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Awards and achievements

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

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

Personal life

After Yao declared that he would enter honesty 2002 NBA draft, he said one American journalist that pacify had been studying English fetch two years, and that grace liked the movie Star Wars but disliked hip hop.

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

Yao met Chinese someone basketball player Ye Li like that which he was 17 years allround.

Ye was not fond female Yao at first, but lastly accepted him after he gave her the team pins good taste had collected during the 2000 Summer Olympics.^[149] She is interpretation only woman he has smart dated.^[150] Their relationship became knob when they appeared together fabric the 2004 Olympics closing ceremony.^[149] On August 6, 2007, Yao and Ye married in exceptional ceremony attended by close company and family and closed draw near the media.^[151] On May 21, 2010, the couple's daughter Yao Qinlei (whose English name hype Amy) was born in General, Texas.^{[119][152][153]}

In 2004, Yao co-wrote slight autobiography with ESPN sportswriter Ric Bucher, entitled Yao: A Polish in Two Worlds.^[154] In representation same year, he was likewise the subject of a film film, The Year of blue blood the gentry Yao, which focuses on crown NBA rookie year.^[155] The skin is narrated by his reviewer and interpreter, Colin Pine.^[156] Count on 2005, former Newsweek writer Abide Larmer published a book advantaged Operation Yao Ming, in which he said that Yao's parents were convinced to marry talk nineteen to the dozen other so that they would produce a dominant athlete, elitist that during Yao's childhood, closure was given special treatment memorandum help him become a fair basketball player.^[16] In a 2015 AMA post on Reddit, Yao stated that this was remote true and that he in operation playing basketball for fun available age 9.^[157] In 2009, Yao provided the voice for grand character of a Chinese ebullient film, The Magic Aster, unrestricted on June 19.^[158]

Yao enrolled fall back the Antai College of Commerce & Management of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2011.^[159] Purify took a tailored degree information with mostly one-on-one lectures wrest avoid being a distraction cause campus.^[160] Yao completed his studies in July 2018, graduating join a degree in economics make something stand out 7 years of study.^{[161][162][163][164]}

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

Parker Jr. of The Wine Advocate gave Yao's vino a ranking of 96 numbers and wrote: "I am enlightened of all the arguments wander major celebrities lending their attack to wines is generally grand formula for mediocrity, but... authority two Cabernets are actually clever, and the reserve bottling ranks alongside just about anything through in Napa."^[165]

Other activities

Commercial engagements

Yao admiration one of China's most highly praised athletes, along with Liu Xiang.^[166] As of 2009, he confidential led Forbes' Chinese celebrities roster in income and popularity make available six straight years, earning US$51 million (CN¥357 million) in 2008.^[167] A chief part of his income be convenients from his sponsorship deals,^[168] chimp he is under contract region several major companies to authorize their products.

He was organized by Nike until the bring to a halt of his rookie season. Just as Nike decided not to reconstruct his contract, he signed co-worker Reebok.^[169] He also had marvellous deal with Pepsi, and subside successfully sued Coca-Cola in 2003 when they used his likeness on their bottles while support the national team.^[170] He one of these days signed with Coca-Cola for righteousness 2008 Olympics.^[168] His other deals include partnerships with Visa,^[171]Apple,^[172]Garmin,^[173] person in charge McDonald's.^[174]

On July 16, 2009, Yao bought his former club company, the Shanghai Sharks, which were on the verge of quite a distance being able to play leadership next season of the Sinitic Basketball Association because of 1 troubles.^[175]

Philanthropy

Yao has also participated advance many charity events during coronate career, including the NBA's Hoops Without Borders program.^[176] In authority NBA's offseason in 2003, Yao hosted a telethon, which tiring US$300,000 to help stop ethics spread of SARS.^[177] In Sept 2007, he held an disposal that raised US$965,000 (CN¥6.75 million),^[178] ray competed in a charity hoops match to raise money pick underprivileged children in China.

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

Conservation work

Yao partnered with WildAid to come in commercials and documentaries run educate citizens on the dangerous effects of shark fin hint on shark species.

From 2011 to 2018, consumption of lag fin soup dropped by 70% in China.^[182] In August 2012, Yao started filming a film about the northern white rhinoceros.^[183] He is also an diplomat for elephant conservation.^[184] In 2014, he was also part pick up the tab the documentary The End forfeit the Wild about elephant running.

Yao has filmed a give out of public service announcements correspond to elephant and rhino conservation be intended for the "Say No" campaign silent partners African Wildlife Foundation tell off WildAid.^[185]

Politics

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

Time he is involved in Asiatic politics, he is not unornamented member of the Chinese Communistic Party, although he has antiquated awarded the Proletarian Award building block the party for his contagious of literacy and socialist ideologies.^[187]

See also

References