Yao Ming through the years

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 9: Yao Ming #198 runs on the court during a game at the Nike H.S. Basketball Camp on July 9, 1998 in Indianpolis, Indiana. (Photo by Vincent Laforet/GettyImages)

17 Sep 2000: Alonzo Mourning of the USA is blocked by Ming Yao of China during the Men's Basketball Preliminaries at the Sydney Superdome on Day Two of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. \ Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport

TO GO WITH Basket-CHN-CBA,PREVIEW by Robert Saiget (FILES) This file photo taken on March 11, 2001 shows then Shanghai Sharks player Yao Ming (C) being guarded by then Bayi Rockets player Wang ZhiZhi (L) during their CBA game in Shanghai. Chinese basketball superstar Yao Ming may be sidelined this NBA season with injury, but as the new owner of the Shanghai Sharks, he is aiming to bring a CBA championship back to his hometown. This summer, the All-Star Houston Rocket centre bought the club he led to the 2002 China Basketball Association title and will on December 19, 2009 make his CBA homecoming when Shanghai opens the season against the Zhejiang Lions. AFP PHOTO / FILES (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Basketball: Yao Ming, NBA prospect from China, during workout session at Alumni Gym on Loyola University Chicago campus. Chicago, IL 5/1/2002 CREDIT: John Biever (Photo by John Biever /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X65798 )

SHANGHAI, CHINA - JUNE 25: Yao Ming after being chosen first overall in the 2002 NBA Draft on June25, 2002 by the Houston Rockets, Shanghai, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chen Xiaowei/ NBAE/ Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA: Chinese basketball player Yao Ming (R) bids goodbye to his parents, father Zhi Yung (L) and mother Fang Sengdi, as he heads back to national team training camp, after giving an interview to a US television network in Beijing, 27 June 2002. The Houston Rockets selected China's Yao Ming with the top pick in the National Basketball Association draft here on Wednesday, making him the first player from outside the United States to be the No. 1 overall selection. AFP PHOTO/GOH CHAI HIN (Photo credit should read GOH CHAI HIN/AFP/Getty Images)

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 22: Yao Ming #13 of the China Basketball Men's Championship Team boxes out Ben Wallace #13 of the USA Men's World Championship Team at The Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Licence Agreement. Copyright 2002 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

HOUSTON - OCTOBER 20: Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets stops to shake hands with teammate Steve Francis #3 prior to the game against the Orlando Magic at the Compaq Center on October 20, 2002 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER:User expressly acknowleges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bill Baptist WNBAE/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Los Angeles Clippers' Chinese center Wang Zhizhi (L) chats to compatriot, Houston Rockets' center Yao Ming, as they wait to fight for a free throw rebound in the second quarter, in Los Angeles, CA, 24 November 2002. The Clippers won 90-89. AFP PHOTO/LUCY NICHOLSON (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP/Getty Images)

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - 2002: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets attempts a dunk against the Minnesota Timberwolves during a 2002 NBA game at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2002 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

HOUSTON - JANUARY 17: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets puts the pressure on Shaquille O'Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at Compaq Center on January 17, 2003 in Houston, Texas. The Rockets defeated the Lakers (in overtime) 108-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

HOUSTON - JANUARY 29: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets battles for position against Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks during the NBA game at Compaq Center on January 29, 2003 in Houston, Texas. The Mavericks won 104-81. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images)

ATLANTA - FEBRUARY 9: Steve Francis #3 and Yao Ming #11 of the Western Conference All-Stars and Michael Jordan #23 of the Eastern Conference All-Stars pose for a portrait prior to the 52nd NBA All-Star Game at the Phillips Arena on February 9, 2003 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)

SEATTLE - MARCH 18: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets dunks against the Seattle Sonics during the game at Key Arena on March 18, 2003 in Seattle, Washington. The Sonics won 100-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Reinking/NBAE/Getty Images)

HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 8: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets puts up a shot during the NBA game against the Orlando Magic at Toyota Center on November 8, 2003 in Houston, Texas. The Rockets won 98-86. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 13: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets, Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rocket and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers pose during All-Star Portraits on February 13, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 15: Yao Ming #11, Kevin Garnett #21 and Shaquille O'Neal #34 of the Western Conference All-Stars pose for a portrait on February 15, 2004 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

HOUSTON - FEBRUARY 22: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets puts a shot up over Zeljko Rebraca #12 of the Atlanta Hawks at Toyota Center on February 22, 2004 in Houston, Texas. The Rockets won 123-121 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by:Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)

HOUSTON - JANUARY 18: Yao Ming #11 and Tracy McGrady #1 of the Houston Rockets talk during the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 18, 2005 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The Pacers defeated the Rockets 87-74. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES - 2004: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets attempts a dunk against Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 2004 NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

DOHA, QATAR: Chinese NBA superstar Yao Ming (2nd L) and his teammates pose with their trophy after beating Lebanon in the finals of the Asian Champions Cup tournament in Doha, Qatar 16 September 2005. The game, a qualifier for the 2006 World Championships in Japan, ended with China's victory 77-61. AFP PHOTO/KARIM JAAFAR (Photo credit should read KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images)

HOUSTON - FEBRUARY 19: Pau Gasol #16 of the Memphis Grizzlies talks with Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets prior to the 2006 NBA All Star Game on February 19, 2006 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)

OKLAHOMA CITY - MARCH 25: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets gets a shot off over Tyson Chandler #6 of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets on March 25, 2007 at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Hornets won the game 106-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NBAE via Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY - MAY 2: Jarron Collins #31, Andrei Kirilenko #47, and Kyle Korver #26 of the Utah Jazz shake hands with Carl Landry #14 and Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets after Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at EnergySolutions Arena on May 2, 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA - JULY 27, 2008:(CHINA OUT) Chinese NBA star center Yao Ming arrives at the Olympic Village July 27, 2008. The Olympic Village was officially opened on Sunday and Chinese sports delegation entered the village. (Photo by Liu Ping/ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images)

Chinese basketball star Yao Ming leads the Chinese delegation holding hands with earthquake survivor Lin Hao during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8, 2008. The three-hour show at Beijing's iconic \"Bird's Nest\" national stadium is set to see more than 15,000 performers showcase the nation's ancient history and its rise as a modern power. AFP PHOTO / JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

China's Yao Ming (L) protects the ball from Kobe Bryant (R) of the US during their men's preliminary group B basketball match at the Olympic basketball arena during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 10, 2008. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

China's Yao Ming (C) jubilates with team-mates after beating Germany during their men's preliminary round group A basketball match of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Olympic basketball Arena in Beijing on August 16, 2008. China won 59 to 55. AFP PHOTO/ Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES - MAY 17: Ron Artest #96, Dikembe Mutombo #55, and Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets react during Game Seven of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

BEIJING, CHINA - DECEMBER 25: (CHINA OUT) Chinese NBA star Yao Ming, the new boss of Shanghai Sharks, gives an interview after he watched the game between Shanghai Sharks and Beijing Ducks during thrid round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) 2009-2010 season on December 25, 2009 in Beijing, China. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 1: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets watches the game against the San Antonio Spurs on April 1, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)

SHANGHAI, CHINA - JULY 20: (CHINA OUT) Chinese basketball player Yao Ming arrives at his press conference announcing his retirement from basketball on July 20, 2011 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images)

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 12: Yao Ming is announced as one of the finalist for the the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2016 during the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel on February 12, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Dave Sandford/NBAE via Getty Images)

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