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Yao Ming, prominent Chinese basketball icon, excelled as NBA player for Houston Rockets and Shanghai Sharks. Known for his towering height and skill, he is now a celebrated basketball executive.
Standing tall as one of the most notable figures in professional basketball, Yao Ming is a former player and current basketball executive hailing from China. He trailblazed a successful career as he transitioned from the Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese Basketball Association to the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association. An eight-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA Team member, Yao was renowned for not only his impressive height, but his formidable skill on the court. He cemented his legacy with an induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 and plays a key role in Chinese basketball as the elected chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association. His contributions have made him a symbol of a more modern and confident China.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date'>1980</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Yao Ming is Born</div><div class='timeline-text'>On September 12, 1980, Yao Ming is born in Shanghai, China.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date'>1997</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Joins the Shanghai Sharks</div><div class='timeline-text'>Yao joins the Chinese Basketball Association's Shanghai Sharks.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date'>2002</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Selected 1st Overall in NBA Draft</div><div class='timeline-text'>On June 26, 2002, Yao was selected first overall in the NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date'>2003</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Named to All Star Game</div><div class='timeline-text'>Yao is named to his first All Star Game and becomes the first international player to start in an All Star Game.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date'>2008</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Retires from Basketball</div><div class='timeline-text'>After suffering a series of injuries, Yao retires from basketball after just eight seasons.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame</div><div class='timeline-text'>Yao is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, becoming the first international player to receive this honor.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Elected to China's National People's Congress</div><div class='timeline-text'>Yao is elected to China's National People's Congress as a member of the Communist Party.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>He's an Inspiring Role Model</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Yao Ming is an inspiring role model to young athletes. Not only was he a great basketball player, but he also worked hard to overcome language and cultural barriers to make it in the NBA. He is an example of how dedication and hard work can pay off.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>He's a Great Athlete</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Yao Ming is a great athlete. He was an eight-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA Team selection, and two time Olympic medalist. During his career, he led the Houston Rockets to four straight playoff appearances and was even inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>He's a Philanthropist</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Yao Ming is also a philanthropist who has donated millions of dollars to various charities and causes. In 2008, he founded the Yao Ming Foundation which helps improve education for children in rural China and raises awareness about animal protection in China.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Tallest Player in NBA History</h3><p class='facts-text'>Yao Ming is the tallest player to ever play in the National Basketball Association at 7' 6". He was also one of the tallest players in international basketball history.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Youngest Player to Receive All-Star Voting</h3><p class='facts-text'>At just 21 years old, Yao Ming became the youngest player to receive All-Star voting in 2003.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>First Chinese Citizen to Play in the NBA</h3><p class='facts-text'>Yao Ming was the first Chinese citizen to ever be drafted in the NBA and he played his first game with the Houston Rockets in 2002.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Most Popular NBA Player Overseas</h3><p class='facts-text'>Yao Ming was one of the most popular NBA players outside of the US, especially in China, where his jersey was the best-selling basketball jersey of all time.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Endorsed Over 20 Companies</h3><p class='facts-text'>During his playing career, Yao Ming endorsed over 20 companies, making him one of the highest paid athletes in China.</p></div></div>
Yao Ming, an iconic Chinese basketball player, was born on September 12, 1980 and is currently 42 years old. He is best known for his success in the NBA, playing for the Houston Rockets from 2002 to 2011 and being an eight-time NBA All-Star.
Yao Ming has an estimated net worth of $160M. He is a former professional basketball player and current chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association. His wealth is derived from his successful playing career which spanned a decade as well as endorsement deals and other business investments.
