Yao Ming is a retired Chinese professional basketball player who played for the Houston Rockets in the NBA from 2002 to 2011. Standing 7 feet 6 inches tall, he was one of the tallest players in NBA history. Yao was an eight-time NBA All-Star and helped bridge the NBA and global audiences, especially in China. Persistent injuries led to his early retirement. After retiring, he became president of the Chinese Basketball Association and remains a prominent figure in international sports and philanthropy.