YAOMING
HOUSTON ROCKETSYao Ming — 8× NBA All-Star, the player who globalized basketball in China. Career stats, bio and legacy of one of the most influential centers in NBA history.
8×ALL-STAR
5xALL-NBA
✓2002-03 ALL-ROOKIEYao Ming biography — NBA career story, legacy, championships, awards and personal background.
Career timeline, milestones, and place among all-time greats.
At 7-foot-6, he wasn't just the tallest player of his era — Yao Ming became the single most important bridge the NBA ever built between American basketball and the massive Chinese market. Born September 12, 1980, in Shanghai, China. Height 7 ft 6 in (229 cm).
He played for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (1997–2002), winning a CBA championship and Finals MVP in his final season. Drafted 1st overall by the Houston Rockets in 2002, he became the first international player with no U.S. college experience to be picked first overall, and started for the Western Conference as a rookie after outpolling Shaquille O'Neal in All-Star voting.
An eight-time NBA All-Star (2003–2009, 2011), Yao made the All-NBA Team five times combined. Recurring foot, ankle, and leg injuries repeatedly interrupted his career and ultimately forced his retirement.
Career totals: 9,247 points (19.0 ppg), 4,494 rebounds (9.2 rpg), 920 blocks (1.9 bpg) over his eight-season NBA career.
His No. 11 was retired by the Houston Rockets. He later served as president of the Chinese Basketball Association (2017–2024). Inducted into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the FIBA Hall of Fame.
Yao Ming quick facts — Height 7'6. 19.0 PPG career average.
Height, weight, draft year, and years in the league.
Yao Ming career statistics summary — 19.0 PPG career average.
Regular-season averages and totals across the full NBA career.
Yao Ming career highs — best single-game performances in points, rebounds, assists and more.
Personal records with dates and opponents.
vs HOU
vs PHO
vs HOU
vs HOU
vs LAL
vs HOU
Yao Ming advanced stats — PER, win shares, BPM and overall impact metrics.
Impact measured beyond traditional box score statistics.
Yao Ming playoff stats — postseason points, rebounds, assists and games played.
Postseason production across every playoff run.
Yao Ming All-Star Game stats — appearances, minutes and showcase performance.
Mid-season exhibition stats across every All-Star selection.
→DID NOT PLAY - INJURY→Yao Ming NBA transactions — trades, signings and team changes by date.
Team moves and dates across every NBA stop.
FAQ about Yao Ming — rings, MVP awards, career stats, height.
Answers to the most searched questions about championships and career honors.
Yao Ming averaged 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists per game in the regular season.
Yao Ming salary history — Career salary $93,390,336.
Year-by-year compensation across the professional career.
Yao Ming filmography — movies, documentaries and on-screen basketball roles.
Theatrical releases and documentary appearances.
Players similar to Yao Ming — statistical peers by position, peak seasons and career arc.
All-time comparisons with the closest playing profile.
NoteThe club shown in the profile isn't necessarily the player's last team, but the one he's most associated with and that defined his career. See the full team history in the Transactions section.