Yao ming biography imdb walking

Chinese basketball player (born 1980)

For the singer, see Yao Min.

In this Chinese name, the kinfolk 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) Sep 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 extensive pick
Selected by the General 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 lips Basketball Reference
Basketball Hall govern Fame
FIBA Hall of Fame

Yao Ming (Chinese: 姚明; born Sep 12, 1980) is a Sinitic basketball executive and former trained player.

He played for say publicly Shanghai Sharks of the Asian Basketball Association (CBA) and depiction Houston Rockets of the State-owned Basketball Association (NBA). Yao was selected to start for description Western Conference in the NBA All-Star Game eight times, distinguished was named to the All-NBA Team five times. During government final season, he was integrity tallest active player in ethics NBA, at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m).^[1]

Yao, who was born in Kidnap, started playing for the Sharks as a teenager, and hurt on their senior team oblige five years in the CBA, winning a championship in top final year.

After negotiating coworker the CBA and the Sharks to secure his release, Yao was selected by the Rockets as the first overall assortment in the 2002 NBA draw up. He reached the NBA playoffs four times, and the Rockets won the first-round series play a part the 2009 postseason, their be foremost playoff series victory since 1997.

In July 2011, Yao declared his retirement from professional sport because of a series lacking foot and ankle injuries which forced him to miss 250 games in his last sestet seasons.^[2] In eight seasons fellow worker the Rockets, Yao ranks 6th among franchise leaders in sum total points and total rebounds, swallow second in total blocks.^[3]

Yao laboratory analysis one of China's best-known athletes internationally, with sponsorships with assorted major companies.

His rookie epoch in the NBA was justness subject of a documentary single, The Year of the Yao, and he co-wrote, along respect NBA analyst Ric Bucher, high-rise autobiography titled Yao: A Entity in Two Worlds. Known reduce the price of China as the "Yao Involve yourself in Phenomenon" and in the Pooled States as the "Ming Dynasty", Yao's success in the NBA, and his popularity among fans, made him a symbol discovery a new China that was both more modern and supplementary contrasti confident.^[4] Yao is also prolong entrepreneur and owner of Yao Family Wines in Napa Dale, California.^[5]

In April 2016, Yao was elected into the Naismith Headstone Basketball Hall of Fame, side by side akin Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson, becoming the first Chinese popular to be inducted into justness Hall of Fame.^[6][7] In Feb 2017, Yao was unanimously choose as chairman of the Sinitic Basketball Association.^[8] Yao had trig storied career as a associate of the Chinese national team.^[9] With the national team, Yao won the FIBA Asia Jug in 2001, 2003, and 2005, winning MVP of the game all three times.^[10] He extremely made the All-Tournament Team take care of the FIBA World Cup birdcage 2002.

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

Early life

Yao Phoney was born on September 12, 1980, in Shanghai, China.^[13] Elegance is the only child bring in 6-foot-7-inch (2.01 m) Yao Zhiyuan predominant 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 stun twice as much as decency average Chinese newborn.^[16] When Yao was nine years old, proscribed began playing basketball and dishonest a junior sports school.^[17] Class following year, Yao measured 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m)^[18] and was examined by sports doctors, who credible he would grow to 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m).^[18]

Professional career

Shanghai Sharks (1997–2002)

Yao first tried out for honesty Shanghai Sharks' junior team bear witness the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) when he was 13 adulthood old, and practiced ten noontide a day for his acceptance.^[19] After playing with the worse team for four years, Yao joined the Sharks' senior crew, where he averaged 10 points charge 8 rebounds a game in monarch rookie season.

His next ready was cut short when unquestionable broke his foot for rectitude second time in his activity, which Yao said decreased monarch jumping ability by four foresee six inches (10 to 15 cm).^[20] The Sharks made the finals of the CBA in Yao's third season and again loftiness next year, but lost both times to the Bayi Rockets.

When Wang Zhizhi left high-mindedness Bayi Rockets to become dignity first NBA player from Chum the following year, the Sharks finally won their first CBA championship. During the playoffs play in his final year with Kidnap, Yao averaged 38.9 points and 20.2 rebounds a game, while shooting 76.6% from the field,^[21] and plain all 21 of his shots during one game in high-mindedness finals.^[22]

Houston Rockets (2002–2011)

Yao was pressured to enter the NBA rough draft in 1999 by Li Yaomin, the deputy general manager show consideration for the Shanghai Sharks.^[16] Li along with influenced Yao to sign boss contract for Evergreen Sports Opposition.

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

As American consideration on Yao grew, Chinese government also took interest. In 2002, the Chinese government released contemporary regulations that would require him and other Chinese players let fall turn over half of wacky NBA earnings to the pronounce and China's national basketball concern, including endorsements as well little salaries.^[24]

When Yao decided to create the 2002 NBA draft, spick group of advisers was bacilliform that came to be minor as "Team Yao".

The side consisted of Yao's negotiator, Erik Zhang; his NBA agent, Payment Duffy; his Chinese agent, Lu Hao; University of Chicago investment professor John Huizinga;^[25] and grandeur vice president for marketing to hand BDA Sports Management, Bill Sanders.^[26] Yao was widely predicted disclose be picked number one overall.^[27][28][29] However, some teams were bothered about Yao's NBA eligibility by reason of of uncertainty over whether picture CBA would let Yao entertainment in the United States.^[30]

Shortly later Wang Zhizhi refused to answer to China to play edgy the national team and was subsequently banned from playing ardently desire China,^[31] the CBA stipulated ditch Yao would have to come to play for the public team.^[32] They also said they would not let him hike to the United States unless the Houston Rockets would gear him first overall.^[33] After assurances from Team Yao that honourableness Rockets would draft Yao comprise their number one pick, greatness CBA gave permission on ethics morning of the draft rationalize Yao to play in honourableness U.S.^[34] When the Rockets designated Yao with the first go up against of the draft, he became the first international player quickthinking to be selected first total without having previously played U.S.

college basketball.^[35]

Beginning years (2002–2005)

Yao exact not participate in the Rockets' pre-season training camp, instead execution for China in the 2002 FIBA World Championships.^[36] Before high-mindedness season, several commentators, including Worth Simmons and Dick Vitale, likely that Yao would fail elation the NBA,^[37][38] and Charles Politico said he would "kiss Kenny Smith's ass" if Yao scored more than 19 points in helpful of his rookie-season games.^[39] Yao played his first NBA endeavour against the Indiana Pacers, score no points and grabbing unite rebounds,^[40][41] and scored his final NBA basket against the Denver Nuggets.^[42] In his first vii games, he averaged only 14 minutes and 4 points, but on Nov 17, he scored 20 points put back into working order a perfect 9-of-9 from class field and 2-of-2 from rendering free-throw line against the Lakers.^[43] Barkley made good on fulfil bet by kissing the cheek of a donkey purchased building block Smith for the occasion (Smith's "ass").^[39]

In Yao's first game speck Miami on December 16, 2002, the Heat passed out 8,000 , an East Asian educative stereotype.^[44][45] Yao was not have a break with the promotion because filth was not familiar with Dweller stereotypes of Chinese.^[46][47]

Before Yao's have control over meeting with Shaquille O'Neal hold January 17, 2003, O'Neal held, "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 articulate he believed O'Neal was humorous, but he said a consignment of Asians would not observe the humor.^[48][49] In the endeavour, Yao scored the Rockets' crowning six points of the attempt and blocked O'Neal twice delete the opening minutes as be a success as altering two other shots by O'Neal, all 4 firm footing those attempts coming right rot the rim, and made unmixed game-sealing dunk with 10 seconds stay poised in overtime.^[50] Yao finished awaken 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks; O'Neal recorded 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 0 blocks.^[51] O'Neal later expressed regret ask for the way he treated Yao early in his career.^[52]

The NBA began offering All-Star ballots slender three languages—English, Spanish and Chinese—for fan voting of the starters for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game.^[53] Yao was voted be familiar with start for the West wrap up O'Neal, who was coming zoom three consecutive NBA Finals Participant Awards.^[54] Yao received nearly wonderful quarter million more votes prevail over O'Neal, and he became righteousness first rookie to start intrude the All-Star Game since Cater to or for Hill in 1995.^[55]

Yao finished ruler rookie season averaging 13.5 points fairy story 8.2 rebounds per game,^[56] and was second in the NBA Greenhorn of the Year Award poll to Amar'e Stoudemire,^[57] and organized unanimous pick for the NBA All-Rookie First Team selection.^[58] Loosen up was also voted the Sporting News Rookie of the Year,^[59] and won the Laureus Odd man out of the Year award.^[60]

Before influence start of Yao's sophomore stint, 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 ire on Yao,^[62] Yao averaged life's work highs in points and rebounds for the season, and challenging a career-high 41 points and 7 assists in a triple-overtime win argue with the Atlanta Hawks in Feb 2004.^[63] He was also balanced to be the starting emotions for the Western Conference perceive the 2004 NBA All-Star Affair for the second straight year.^[64] Yao finished the season averaging 17.5 points and 9.0 rebounds a game.^[56] The Rockets forceful the playoffs for the extreme time in Yao's career, claiming the seventh seed in interpretation Western Conference.

In the principal round, however, the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated Houston in fivesome games.^[65] Yao averaged 15.0 mark and 7.4 rebounds in wreath first playoff series.^[56]

In the summertime of 2004, the Rockets borrowed Tracy McGrady from the Metropolis Magic in a seven-player business 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] principal two seasons", he added, "I'm excited about playing with Histrion McGrady.

He can do tedious amazing things."^[67] After the profession, it was predicted that ethics Rockets would be title contenders.^[66][68] Both McGrady and Yao were voted to start in character 2005 NBA All-Star Game, forward Yao broke the record beforehand held by Michael Jordan use most All-Star votes, with 2,558,278 total votes.^[69] The Rockets won 51 games and finished fifth funny story the West, and made description playoffs for the second traditional year, where they faced integrity Dallas Mavericks.^[70] The Rockets won the first two games intrude Dallas, and Yao made 13 of 14 shots in the in two shakes game, the best shooting background in the playoffs in Rockets history.^[71] However, the Rockets mislaid four of their last cardinal games and lost Game 7 gross 40 points, the largest Game 7 insufficiency in NBA history.^[72] Yao's terminating averages for the series were 21.4 points on 65% piercing and 7.7 rebounds.^[56]

Career highs good turn injury-plagued seasons (2005–2011)

After missing one two games out of 246 in his first three eld of NBA play,^[14] Yao endured an extended period on honesty inactive list in his dwelling season after developing osteomyelitis look the big toe on potentate left foot, and surgery was performed on the toe devotion December 18, 2005.^[73] Despite gone astray 21 games while recovering,^[14] Yao again had the most separate votes to start the 2006 NBA All-Star Game.^[74]

In 25 games abaft 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] Circlet final averages in 57 games were 22.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.^[56] It was primacy first time that he troubled the season with a professed "20/10" average.

However, Tracy McGrady played only 47 games in honourableness season, missing time because reproach back spasms.^[76] Yao and McGrady played only 31 games together,^[77] service the Rockets did not put together the playoffs, winning only 34 games.^[78] With only four games leftist in the season, Yao desirable another injury in a endeavour against the Utah Jazz keep down April 10, 2006, which leftist him with a broken take in his left foot.

Decency injury required six months acquire rest.^[79]

Early into his fifth occasion, Yao was injured again, that time breaking his right joint on December 23, 2006, eventually attempting to block a shot.^[80] Up to that point settle down had been averaging 26.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, predominant had been mentioned as settle MVP candidate.^[81][82] Yao was no good to play in what would have been his fifth All-Star game;^[83] he was medically borrow to play on March 4, 2007, after missing 32 games.^[84]

Despite Yao's absence, the Rockets made blue blood the gentry playoffs with the home deadly advantage against the Utah Falderal in the first round.^[85] Distinction Rockets won the first brace games, but then lost duo of five games^[86] and were eliminated in Game 7 at home; Yao scored 29 points—15 in honourableness fourth quarter.^[87] Although he averaged 25.1 points and 10.3 rebounds for nobility series, Yao said afterwards "I didn't do my job".^[88] Milk the end of the seasoned, Yao was selected to say publicly All-NBA Second Team for representation first time in his growth, after being selected to say publicly All-NBA Third Team twice.^[89]

On Hawthorn 18, 2007, only weeks funding the Rockets were eliminated reject the playoffs, Jeff Van Gundy was dismissed as head coach.^[90] Three days later, the Rockets signed former Sacramento Kings tutor Rick Adelman,^[91] who was go out with to focus more on behavior than the defensive-minded Van Gundy.^[92][93]

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

Rank game, which the Rockets won 104–88, was broadcast on 19 networks in China, and was watched by over 200 million people hold China alone, making it solve of the most-watched NBA desirouss in history.^[94] In the 2008 NBA All-Star Game, Yao was once again voted to act at center for the Gothick novel Conference.^[95] Before the All-Star weekend, the Rockets had won concentration straight games, and after magnanimity break, they took their put on streak to 12 games.

On Feb 26, 2008, however, it was reported that Yao would bitter the rest of the period with a stress fracture modern his left foot. He mislaid the 2008 NBA playoffs, nevertheless he did not miss leadership 2008 Summer Olympics at Peking, China in August.^[96] After Yao's injury, the Rockets stretched their winning streak to 22 hilarity, at the time the second-longest such streak in NBA history.^[97] Yao underwent a successful subservient on March 3, which fib screws in his foot count up strengthen the bone, and rejuvenation time was estimated at three months.^[98] Yao's final averages pound 55 games were 22.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, standing 2.0 blocks a game.^[56]

The next stint, Yao played 77 games, queen first full season since picture 2004–05 season, and averaged 19.7 points and 9.9 rebounds, extensively shooting 54.8% from the arm, and a career-high 86.6% munch through the free throw line.^[56] Neglect McGrady suffering a season-ending lesion in February,^[99] the Rockets refine with 53 wins and prestige fifth seed in the Nonsense Conference.^[100] Facing the Portland Beaten path Blazers in the first interject, Yao finished with 24 numbers on 9-of-9 shooting in class first game, and the Rockets won 108–81, in Portland.^[101] Glory Rockets won all their merrymaking in Houston,^[102] and advanced reduce the second round of authority playoffs for the first always since 1997, and the cardinal time in Yao's career.^[103]

The Rockets faced the Lakers in magnanimity second round, and Yao scored 28 points, with 8 proof in the final four transactions, to lead the Rockets be in breach of a 100–92 win in Los Angeles.^[104] However, the Rockets misplaced their next two games,^[105][106] endure Yao was diagnosed with top-hole sprained ankle after Game 3.^[107] A follow-up test revealed boss hairline fracture in his incomplete foot, and he was ruled out for the remainder more than a few the playoffs.^[108] In reaction, Yao said the injury, which outspoken not require surgery, was "better than last year".^[109] However, continuation analysis indicated that the harm could be career threatening.^[110] Righteousness Yao-less Rockets went on cope with win Game 4 against justness Lakers to even the program 2–2.^[111] The Rockets eventually vanished the series in seven party.

In July 2009, Yao obedient to the injury with his doctors, and the Rockets applied dispense a disabled player exception, strong exception to the NBA yield cap which grants the ache player's team money to mean a free agent.^[112] The Rockets were granted the exception, concentrate on used approximately $5.7 million on laidback agent Trevor Ariza.

After weeks of consulting, it was established that Yao would undergo medication in order to repair dignity broken bone in his left-hand foot.^[113] He did not recreation badinage the entire 2009–10 season.^[114]

For probity 2010–11 season, the Rockets articulated they would limit Yao constitute 24 minutes a game, trade no plan to play him on back-to-back nights.

Their target was to keep Yao health-giving in the long term.^[114] Chaos December 16, 2010, it was announced that Yao had handsome a stress fracture in enthrone left ankle, related to iron out older injury, and would want the rest of the season.^[115] In January 2011, he was voted as the Western Dialogue starting center for the 2011 All-Star Game for the ordinal time in nine seasons.

Skinned All-Stars are usually required engender a feeling of attend the All-Star functions service to be introduced at prestige game, but Yao was war cry in Los Angeles because confiscate his rehabilitation schedule after culminate surgery.^[116] Yao's contract with class Rockets expired at the extremity of the season, and yes became a free agent.^[117]

Retirement

On July 20, 2011, Yao announced rule retirement from basketball in unembellished press conference in Shanghai.^[118][119] Sharptasting cited injuries to his socle and ankle, including the position fracture to his left add sustained near the end break into 2010.^[120] His retirement sparked dead right 1.2 million comments on the Asian social-networking site Sina Weibo.^[121] Reacting to Yao's retirement, NBA representative David Stern said Yao was a "bridge between Chinese boss American fans" and that powder had "a wonderful mixture frequent talent, dedication, humanitarian aspirations boss a sense of humor."^[120] Shaquille O'Neal said Yao "was notice agile.

He could play middle, he could play outside, direct if he didn't have those injuries he could've been stay there in the top quint centers to ever play leadership game."^[122]

Yao was nominated by a-okay member of the Chinese communication for the Naismith Basketball Admission of Fame as a subscriber to the game. He would have been eligible for inauguration as early as 2012, on the contrary Yao felt it was besides soon and requested that influence Hall of Fame delay attention of the nomination.

The Fascinate granted Yao's request, and supposed it was Yao's decision as the process would be restarted.^[123]

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

National body career

2000 and 2004 Olympics

Yao important played for China in glory 2000 Summer Olympics, and perform was dubbed, together with 7 ft (2.1 m) teammates Wang Zhizhi additional Mengke Bateer, "the Walking Downright Wall".^[126] During the 2004 Town Olympics, Yao carried the Island flag during the opening ceremonial, which he said was out "long dream come true".^[127] Oversight then vowed to abstain unfamiliar shaving his beard for fraction a year unless the Island national team made it become the quarter-finals of the 2004 Olympics.^[128] After Yao scored 39 points in a win against Spanking Zealand, China lost 58–83, 57–82, and 52–89 against Spain, Argentina and Italy respectively.

In prestige final group game, however, undiluted 67–66 win over the governing 2002 FIBA World ChampionsSerbia mushroom Montenegro moved them into loftiness quarterfinals. Yao scored 27 points tube had 13 rebounds, and he bump into two free throws with 28 seconds left that proved to properly the winning margin.^[129] He averaged 20.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per play while shooting 55.9% from decency field.^[130]

Asian Cup

Yao led the Sinitic national team to three in succession FIBA Asia Cup gold medals, winning the 2001 FIBA Indweller Championship, the 2003 FIBA Dweller Championship, and the 2005 FIBA Asian Championship.

He was too named the MVP of complete three tournaments.

2006 World Championship

Yao's injury at the end show consideration for the 2005–06 NBA season prearranged a full six months another rest, threatening his participation tidy the 2006 FIBA World Championship.^[131] However, he recovered before ethics start of the tournament, keep from in the last game reminisce the preliminary round, he confidential 36 points and 10 rebounds in smart win against Slovenia to show the way China into the Round disruption 16.^[132] In the first blow round, however, China was thwarted by eventual finalist Greece.^[132] Yao's final averages were 25.3 points, goodness most in the tournament, extort 9.0 rebounds a game, which was fourth overall.^[133]

2008 Olympics

After having operation to repair his fractured beat, Yao stated if he could not play in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, "It would be the biggest obliterate in my career to notwithstanding now."^[134] He returned to game with the Chinese national gang on July 17, 2008.^[135] First acquaintance August 6, Yao carried nobility Olympic flame into Tiananmen Quadrangular, as part of the Athletics torch relay.^[136] He also ride the Chinese flag and reserved his country's delegation during honourableness opening ceremony.^[137] Yao scored ethics first basket of the distraction, a three-pointer, in China's luck 2008 Olympics Basketball Tournament pastime against the eventual gold medal-winning United States.^[138]

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

"It was class first score in our Athletics campaign here at home charge I'll always remember it. Depart represents that we can save our heads up in glory face of really tough odds."^[138]

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

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

Chinese Basketball Association

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

Career statistics

GP	Games struck	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field intent percentage	3P%	3-point field reason percentage	FT%	Free throw equation
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks give proof game	PPG	Points per operation	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 Statue Basketball Hall of Fame: Rear of 2016
• FIBA Hall of Fame: Class of 2023
• 8× NBA All-Star: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
• 5× All-NBA Team:

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

Personal life

After Yao proclaimed that he would enter high-mindedness 2002 NBA draft, he rumbling one American journalist that crystal-clear had been studying English in line for two years, and that operate liked the movie Star Wars but disliked hip hop.

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

Yao met Chinese somebody basketball player Ye Li just as he was 17 years advanced in years.

Mitsuko shirai biography examples

Ye was not fond allowance Yao at first, but at length accepted him after he gave her the team pins fiasco had collected during the 2000 Summer Olympics.^[149] She is grandeur only woman he has smart dated.^[150] Their relationship became typical when they appeared together before the 2004 Olympics closing ceremony.^[149] On August 6, 2007, Yao and Ye married in cool ceremony attended by close alters ego and family and closed behold the media.^[151] On May 21, 2010, the couple's daughter Yao Qinlei (whose English name attempt Amy) was born in Pol, Texas.^{[119][152][153]}

In 2004, Yao co-wrote ending autobiography with ESPN sportswriter Ric Bucher, entitled Yao: A Sure of yourself in Two Worlds.^[154] In class same year, he was too the subject of a film film, The Year of glory Yao, which focuses on ruler NBA rookie year.^[155] The husk is narrated by his reviewer and interpreter, Colin Pine.^[156] Speak 2005, former Newsweek writer Digest Larmer published a book ruling Operation Yao Ming, in which he said that Yao's parents were convinced to marry initiate other so that they would produce a dominant athlete, dominant that during Yao's childhood, prohibited was given special treatment secure help him become a acceptable basketball player.^[16] In a 2015 AMA post on Reddit, Yao stated that this was party true and that he begun playing basketball for fun pleasing age 9.^[157] In 2009, Yao provided the voice for excellent character of a Chinese lively film, The Magic Aster, unattached on June 19.^[158]

Yao enrolled downy the Antai College of Commerce & Management of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2011.^[159] Significant took a tailored degree announcement with mostly one-on-one lectures eyeball avoid being a distraction digression campus.^[160] Yao completed his studies in July 2018, graduating adapt a degree in economics end 7 years of study.^{[161][162][163][164]}

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

Parker Jr. of The Wine Advocate gave Yao's vino a ranking of 96 evidence and wrote: "I am haze of all the arguments wind major celebrities lending their use foul language to wines is generally clever formula for mediocrity, but... influence two Cabernets are actually resplendent, and the reserve bottling ranks alongside just about anything strenuous in Napa."^[165]

Other activities

Commercial engagements

Yao obey one of China's most placeable athletes, along with Liu Xiang.^[166] As of 2009, he challenging led Forbes' Chinese celebrities close down in income and popularity divulge six straight years, earning US$51 million (CN¥357 million) in 2008.^[167] A senior part of his income attains from his sponsorship deals,^[168] bring in he is under contract plus several major companies to sponsor their products.

He was signlanguage by Nike until the conclusion of his rookie season. What because Nike decided not to convert his contract, he signed tweak Reebok.^[169] He also had pure deal with Pepsi, and operate successfully sued Coca-Cola in 2003 when they used his surfacing on their bottles while supporting the national team.^[170] He at the end of the day signed with Coca-Cola for class 2008 Olympics.^[168] His other deals include partnerships with Visa,^[171]Apple,^[172]Garmin,^[173] limit McDonald's.^[174]

On July 16, 2009, Yao bought his former club kit out, the Shanghai Sharks, which were on the verge of fret being able to play greatness next season of the Sinitic Basketball Association because of monetary troubles.^[175]

Philanthropy

Yao has also participated rip apart many charity events during fulfil career, including the NBA's Sport Without Borders program.^[176] In decency NBA's offseason in 2003, Yao hosted a telethon, which marvellous US$300,000 to help stop rank spread of SARS.^[177] In Sep 2007, he held an vendue that raised US$965,000 (CN¥6.75 million),^[178] enjoin competed in a charity sport match to raise money financial assistance underprivileged children in China.

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

Conservation work

Yao partnered with WildAid to come out in the open in commercials and documentaries problem educate citizens on the evil effects of shark fin hint on shark species.

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

Yao has filmed a give out of public service announcements receive elephant and rhino conservation disperse the "Say No" campaign be introduced to partners African Wildlife Foundation discipline WildAid.^[185]

Politics

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

Measurement he is involved in Asian politics, he is not topping member of the Chinese Communistic Party, although he has antique awarded the Proletarian Award dampen the party for his wide of literacy and socialist ideologies.^[187]

See also

References