CHN – Yao confirms retirement

SHANGHAI (NBA) - Yao Ming officially announced his retirement from basketball on Wednesday in China.

Just 30 years old, the 2.29m Houston Rockets center's past two seasons were ruined by foot and leg injuries.

“At the end of the last year, my left foot had a third fracture,” Yao said.

“Today, I need to make a personal decision. I will stop my basketball career and I will formally retire.”

"Today, thinking back and thinking of the future, I have been very grateful. First of all, I need to be grateful to basketball. It has brought happiness to many people including myself. Life is my guide. Just follow it and it will open doors.”

"Out of each door, there will be a beautiful world outside. Since I am retired, one door is closed. But a new life is waiting for me. I have left the basketball (court), but I will not leave basketball.”

Yao, whose remarks were delivered in Chinese but translated into English, played eight seasons in the NBA but his injury problems forced him to miss 250 regular-season games over the past six years.

He has contributed enormously to the growth of the NBA in his country and his departure means that now China's lone player in the league is Yi Jianlian.

Yao represented his country at the last three Olympics. He had to overcome a serious foot injury to play at the 2008 Beijing Games.

A testament to his popularity was China's decision to have Yao carry the flag and lead the country's Olympians into the stadium at the opening ceremonies.

Yao also played at the 2002 and 2006 FIBA World Championships. In the NBA, Yao was an eight-time All-Star Selection.

He averaged 19 points and 9.2 rebounds in his career. His future began to look uncertain after breaking his left foot in the 2009 play-offs.

Yao ended up missing the entire 2009-10 campaign and after playing in five regular-season games in 2010-11, the giant pivot broke his left ankle.

He had surgery in January.

"Yao Ming has been a transformational player and a testament to the globalization of our game," NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement.

"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."

There is a very real possibility that Yao, who owns the Shanghai Sharks in China's CBA, will remain connected with the NBA as they try to continue to make inroads in homeland.

“I’m utterly thrilled that we’re contemplating working with Yao as we continue to grow the sport of basketball,” Stern said.

“We have a full force in China. We think Yao is equally committed. I think we’ll find ways to work together. We know him and we know his hopes for Chinese basketball.”

Houston owner Leslie Alexander spoke of his disappointment that Yao has had to leave the game so soon.

“It’s sad,” Alexander said to the Houston Chronicle. He had such great potential. He fulfilled it, really, but we would have been a great team with him.

"It’s sad for him because I know he wants to play very badly. It’s sad for the Rockets.”

Yao’s wife, Ye Li, their young daughter, Yao Qinlei, and Yao's parents were in the room when Yao made his announcement.

During his announcement, he paid tribute to his Houston and China teammates, and to his adversaries on the court.

He also spoke of his affection for the city of Houston.

"I’d like to thank you for giving me a great nine years in my career,” Yao said.

“Nine years ago, I came to Houston as a young, tall, skinny player. An entire city and team changed me to a grown man, not only as a basketball player.

"I gained my first daughter over there. I feel I’m a Houstonian and I will always be with you.”

FIBA