Yao Ming is a Chinese basketball executive and a globally recognized former professional player. He played for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association and the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing at 7 feet 6 inches, he was an eight-time NBA All-Star whose career was impactful but ultimately shortened by injuries. Since retiring as a player, Yao was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and has become the president of the Chinese Basketball Association, continuing to serve as a global ambassador for the sport.