Ming, Yao (1980– )

Chinese basketball player, who was the first overall selection in the 2002 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft. Standing at 2.29 m/7 ft 6 in, Yao is one of the tallest players ever to play in the NBA and has been named as an All Star Game starter in every season he has played.

Career highlights

regular season scoring: 7,682 points (average 19.0); play-off scoring: 401 points (average 21.1)

Born in Shanghai, he joined the Shanghai Sharks as a youngster and made his debut for the senior team at the age of 17. After five seasons playing in the Chinese Basketball Association, he was drafted by the Houston Rockets in the NBA. He has played for China at three consecutive Olympics 2000–08 and was the team's flag bearer on two occasions. Due to the unprecedented fame he enjoys in his homeland, Yao is one of the world's most famous athletes, earning an estimated US$54 million in 2007, largely from sponsorship deals. He is also very active in youth basketball initiatives in China and in 2008 he launched the Yao Ming Foundation, which aims to help raise funds and awareness of child welfare issues in China and the USA.