Yao Ming is synonymous with Chinese basketball. As the team's biggest star -- literally and figuratively -- and was always a proud representative of the country's national team.

Yao Ming began his professional basketball career in his hometown of Shanghai. When Yao was 17, he represented Shanghai at the 8th National Games. From there he would join the Shanghai Sharks of the CBA. He played there for five years, and in 2002 helped them win the CBA championship and was also named MVP.

Because of his skills, Yao soon became the core of the Chinese National Basketball team.

He led the Chinese team to three straight Asian Championships in the early part of the century. At the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Yao led the Chinese team into the quarter-finals -- the best ever results for the country at the Olympics. Yao was also a key component of China's Asian Games and World Championship teams.

The 2002 NBA Draft Lottery was won by the Houston Rockets, who chose Yao Ming first overall. The giant became the first Asian born player in league history to be taken first overall, making headlines throughout the US.

The most points Yao ever scored in one NBA game was 41 points.

In his rookie season, Yao averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds. During his nine NBA seasons he was selected to play in the All-star game eight times. He was twice named to the league's All-NBA second-team.

Unfortunately the furthest his team could ever go in the post-season was to the second round.

The most points he ever scored in one NBA game was 41 points. He accomplished that feat on February 23, 2004, against the Atlanta Hawks.

Over his 9-year NBA career he played in 486 games and averaged 19 points and 9.2 rebounds. So what does the future hold for Yao Ming after basketball?

Zhang Weiping, basketball commentator, said, "I think Yao Ming has a lot of choices. He should choose according to his own agenda. No matter if that means coaching, running the team in Shanghai, commentating or charity, we should respect his decision."

Xia Song, basketball commentator, said, "I believe Yao Ming will be a candidate for the Basketball Fame Hall in the future. He has played an important role for World basketball and Chinese basketball. When he first appeared on the Houston Rockets court, he won a lot of applause from the fans, and now several hundred million people are concerned with his retirement. He is a legend in the basketball field."

(CNTV July 20, 2011)