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Yao Ming Retires From Basketball

After two years of persistent left foot injuries, the Chinese great retires at 30

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 20, 2011 9:25 AM CDT

(AP) – The NBA's version of the Ming Dynasty is done. After helping pro basketball gain a foothold in the world's most populous market, Chinese star Yao Ming has retired. Yao made it official today, telling a packed news conference in his hometown that a series of foot and leg injuries forced him to end his playing career at the age of 30. Yao says he will return to work with his former Chinese team, the Shanghai Sharks, with the possibility of becoming general manager. He plans to continue his philanthropic work with his Yao Foundation.

"I will formally end my career," said Yao, the 7-foot-6 center who became a household name in China before starting his NBA career with the Houston Rockets as the top draft pick in 2002. Yao played eight seasons in the NBA, but missed 250 regular-season games over the past six years. He broke his left foot in a '08-'09 playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Yao's wife, Ye Li, and their 14-month-old daughter, Yao Qinlei, and Yao's parents, Yao Zhiyuan and Fang Fengdi, were in the room. Yao thanked his family, friends, coaches in China and in Houston and fellow competitors such as Shaquille O'Neal "for making me a better player."

NBA star Yao Ming, center, wipes his face after delivering a speech of his retirement during a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
NBA star Yao Ming, center, wipes his face after delivering a speech of his retirement during a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.   (Eugene Hoshiko)
NBA star Yao Ming, right, speaks to his wife Ye Li Yao and his daughter Qinle during a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
NBA star Yao Ming, right, speaks to his wife Ye Li Yao and his daughter Qinle during a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.   (Eugene Hoshiko)
NBA star Yao Ming waves to guests as he walks in the venue for a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
NBA star Yao Ming waves to guests as he walks in the venue for a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.   (Eugene Hoshiko)
NBA star Yao Ming smiles after he announced his retirement during a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
NBA star Yao Ming smiles after he announced his retirement during a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.   (Eugene Hoshiko)
Standing in front of his Chinese name, Ming, NBA star Yao Ming delivers a speech of his retirement during a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
Standing in front of his Chinese name, "Ming," NBA star Yao Ming delivers a speech of his retirement during a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.   (Eugene Hoshiko)
NBA star Yao Ming pauses as he delivers a speech of his retirement during the press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
NBA star Yao Ming pauses as he delivers a speech of his retirement during the press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.   (Eugene Hoshiko)
In this May 3, 2007 file photo, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming swings around Utah Jazz center Mehmet Okur, of Turkey, during the first quarter of their NBA playoff basketball game in Salt Lake City.
In this May 3, 2007 file photo, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming swings around Utah Jazz center Mehmet Okur, of Turkey, during the first quarter of their NBA playoff basketball game in Salt Lake City.   (Douglas C. Pizac)
In this Nov. 12, 2006, file photo, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, of China, celebrates a basket during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat in Miami.
In this Nov. 12, 2006, file photo, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, of China, celebrates a basket during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat in Miami.   (Wilfredo Lee)
NBA star Yao Ming pauses after he announced his retirement during a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
NBA star Yao Ming pauses after he announced his retirement during a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.   (Eugene Hoshiko)
NBA star Yao Ming, right top, and his family from left, Yao Zhiyuan, Yao's fater, Fang Fengdi, mother, Yao Qinle, Yao's daughter, and Yao's wife Ye Li pose for photographers, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
NBA star Yao Ming, right top, and his family from left, Yao Zhiyuan, Yao's fater, Fang Fengdi, mother, Yao Qinle, Yao's daughter, and Yao's wife Ye Li pose for photographers, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.   (Eugene Hoshiko)
A sportswear shop keepr watches a live TV press conference in which NBA basketball star Yao Ming declares his retirement in Beijing, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
A sportswear shop keepr watches a live TV press conference in which NBA basketball star Yao Ming declares his retirement in Beijing, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.   (Alexander F. Yuan)
Standing in front of (Yao) Ming Thanks in Chinese characters, NBA star Yao Ming delivers a speech of his retirement during a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
Standing in front of "(Yao) Ming Thanks" in Chinese characters, NBA star Yao Ming delivers a speech of his retirement during a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.   (Eugene Hoshiko)
NBA star Yao Ming pauses after he announced his retirement during a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
NBA star Yao Ming pauses after he announced his retirement during a press conference in Shanghai, China, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.   (Eugene Hoshiko)
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