yao ming

The Chinese city of Dujiangyan Wednesday hosted two of China's most iconic treasures -- the Giant Panda and former NBA basketball player Yao Ming.

SHANGHAI 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.

NBA star Yao Ming announced his retirement during a news conference in China on Wednesday.

This April 1, 2009, file photo shows Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, top, of China, shooting over Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, in Phoenix.

Yao Ming played only 19 minutes while easing back from foot surgery, scoring nine points and delighting his home fans as the Houston Rockets defeated the New Jersey Nets 91-81 in a preseason game Wednesday.

Yao Ming, Houston Rockets NBA center, attends a press conference for his 'Yao Foundation Charity Tour'. Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, 30, may retire after the 2011 NBA season if he does not fully recover from a lingering foot injury.

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming is considering quitting basketball after next season if he doesn't fully recover from his lingering foot injury.

This May 10, 2009, file photo shows Houston Rockets' Yao Ming pausing during a news conference before Game 4 of a second round Western Conference NBA playoff basketball game Chinese superstar Yao Ming will hold his Yao Ming Foundation Gala this evening, Sunday, March 28 in Houston, Texas.

The Houston Rockets have signed center David Andersen to a multiyear contract to help make up for the loss of Yao Ming.

The Rockets acquired the rights to the 6-foot-11 Andersen in a trade with Atlanta on July 14. Houston scrambled to find a center after announcing in June that Yao was out indefinitely with a hairline fracture in his left foot.

HOUSTON (AP) -- Rockets center Yao Ming will have surgery on his broken left foot next week and the team says he may not be available until the training camp before the 2010-11 season.