Yi Jianlian

Yao Ming, born on October 27, 1987, in Heshan City, Guangdong Province. Among his family members, his father is Yi Jingliu, who is 1.96 meters tall, and his mother is Mai Meiling, who is 1.73 meters tall. Both parents were former handball players. During his childhood, he moved with his parents to Shenzhen. In 1999, Yao Ming had reached a height of 1.94 meters and participated in street basketball competitions in Shenzhen, attracting the attention of amateur sports school coach Dai Yixin. Dai Yixin persuaded his parents to let him join Shenzhen Sports School for systematic training, laying the foundation for his basketball career.

In his professional career, in October 2000, Yao Ming was selected by the Guangdong Hongyuan South China Tigers club’s youth training team to become a member of the youth team. In 2003, he made his debut in the CBA league and participated in the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest, winning the league's Rookie of the Year award and being named league Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the same year. During the 2003-2004 season, he averaged 9.7 points per game.

In 2005, he had an outstanding performance in the CBA Finals, averaging 19.8 points and earning the MVP award. In 2006 and 2007, he consecutively received the CBA Regular Season MVP and Finals MVP awards. In 2011, Yao Ming re-signed with Guangdong Hongyuan, helping the team secure multiple championships, including the 2013 championship, which marked their eighth title, with Yao being named Finals MVP. In 2014, he was awarded the CBA Regular Season MVP again.

Between 2015 and 2016, Yao Ming repeatedly broke personal records in the CBA, including reaching the career milestone of 10,000 points and various other statistical achievements. In 2019, he helped Guangdong win the season championship and was named Finals MVP. By 2020, Yao Ming became the second-highest scorer and top rebounder in CBA history, having played a total of 625 games and scored 12,781 points in his career. In 2023, he announced his retirement, ending his 21-year professional career. His retirement ceremonies were held at the Guangzhou and Dongguan basketball centers.

Regarding his NBA career, Yao Ming was selected sixth overall in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, later playing for several teams, including the Nets, Wizards, Mavericks, and Lakers. He played in the NBA for five seasons, averaging 7.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. During his NBA career, he set multiple personal records, including a single-game high of 31 points, 19 rebounds, and 5 three-pointers made.

For the national team, Yao Ming represented China in numerous international competitions, including the 2004 Athens Olympics, 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2012 London Olympics, and 2016 Rio Olympics. He has been awarded the FIBA Asia Championship MVP and was named the best player on the Chinese national team multiple times.

Apart from being an athlete, Yao Ming actively participates in social welfare and public duties. He has served as a member of the Dongguan Municipal CPPCC and has received numerous individual and team honors. In philanthropy, he has participated in many charity activities and served as a brand ambassador for various companies. In 2023, he announced his retirement via social media, officially concluding his basketball career.