It has been reported for the past weeks that Yao Ming will be retiring from basketball due to the injuries he acquired during the last season. Yao Ming has made it official today Wednesday his retirement from basketball in a news conference in his hometown Shanghai. A series of foot and leg injuries had forced him to retire from basketball.
Yao Ming had made a significant contribution in the National Basketball (–foul word(s) removed–)ociation while he was playing with the Houston Rockets. He extended the popularity of basketball to the world’s most populous countries. Before he entered the NBA there were already Chinese basketball stars that had made it to the NBA but his achievement was incomparable.
The general manager of Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey had traveled to China to attend the farewell conference of Yao Ming. He obtained a permit from the NBA to attend because the NBA lockout had prohibited to have contacts with players.
NBA Commissioner David Stern had also sent a message to Yao through a video link. He was quoted as saying “Yao Ming has been a transformational player and a testament to the globalization of our game,” said David Stern.
The NBA Commissioner further adds that “His dominant play and endearing demeanor along with his extensive humanitarian efforts have made him an international fan favorite and provided an extraordinary bridge between basketball fans in the United States and China.” said Commissioner David Stern.
Yao Ming had played for eight season in the NBA with his team the Houston Rockets. He was the top draft pick during the 2002 NBA Season. During his last six years, the 7 foot 6 Chinese behemoth a total of 250 missed games due to injuries.
During the conference Yao Ming was quoted as saying and was translated to English as “Today is an important day for me and holds a special meaning for both my basketball career and my future,” Yao said in comments translated into English.
The Chinese basketball superstar further adds that “I had to leave the court since I suffered a stress fracture in my left foot for the third time at the end of last year. My past six months were an agonizing wait. I had been thinking (about my future) over and over. Today I am announcing a personal decision, ending my career as a basketball player and officially retire. But one door is closing and another one is opening.” said Yao Ming.
The news conference of his retirement in basketball was also attended by his close families and friends. His wife Ye Li and their young daugther Yao Qinlei was present during the conference together with his parents. The announcement was made at the Grand Shanghai Ballroom which was crammed by reporters.
