How Long Did Yao Ming Play In The Nba?

We all know Yao Ming as the retired NBA star, but how long did he actually play for? Yao Ming played for the NBA for a total of 8 seasons, from 2002 to 2010.

Yao Ming’s Early Life and Career

Yao Ming was born on September 12, 1980, in Shanghai, China. Ming began playing basketball at age five and started his professional career at age eighteen. He played eight seasons with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), and was selected to the CBA All-Star Game eight times.

Yao Ming’s early life

Yao Ming was born in Shanghai, China, on September 12, 1980. His parents, Yao Zhiyuan and Fang Fengdi, were both professional basketball players. When Yao was nine years old, he started to play basketball and soon showed great promise as a player.

In 1997, at the age of 17, Yao began his professional career with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He quickly became one of the best players in the league, averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. In his eight seasons with the Sharks, Yao led the team to three CBA championships.

In 2002, Yao joined the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). At 7 feet 6 inches tall, he was the tallest player in the NBA at that time. In his first season in the NBA, Yao averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds per game. He was named Rookie of the Year at the end of the season.

Over the next few years, Yao became one of the best players in the NBA. He was selected to play in eight All-Star Games and was named to the All-NBA First Team five times. However, Yao’s career was cut short by injuries. He missed most of the 2008-09 season with a broken bone in his foot. After missing more games due to injuries over the next few years, Yao announced his retirement from basketball in 2011.

Yao Ming’s basketball career

Yao Ming played professional basketball in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Houston Rockets. He is an eight-time NBA All-Star and a two-time Olympian. In 2002, Yao was selected by the Rockets as the first overall pick in the NBA draft, becoming the first international player to be drafted first overall without having played U.S. college basketball. After negotiating a contract with the Rockets worth $26 million over six years, Yao joined the team for the 2002–03 season.

Yao Ming’s Time in the NBA

Yao Ming played in the NBA for nine seasons with the Houston Rockets. He was drafted first overall by the Rockets in the 2002 NBA Draft and spent his entire career with the team. During his time in the NBA, Yao was a seven-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA Second Team member.

Yao Ming’s rookie season

Yao Ming played in the NBA for 8 seasons. He was drafted by the Houston Rockets as the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, and he retired from professional basketball in 2011 due to persistent foot and ankle injuries.

Ming’s rookie season was cut short by a foot injury that kept him out of the last 29 games, but he still managed to average 13 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. In his second season, Ming averaged 17 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks per game, earning him a spot on the All-Star team. He continued to be an All-Star for the next 6 seasons until he was forced to retire.

Ming’s best season came in 2006-2007 when he averaged 25 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. He was also named to the All-NBA First Team that season.

Yao Ming’s All-Star appearances

In his eight seasons with the Houston Rockets, Yao Ming was selected to start in the NBA All-Star game eight times (2003-2009, 2011), and he was named to the All-NBA team five times.

Yao Ming’s injuries

Yao Ming’s injuries forced him to retire from the NBA after just eight seasons. The back and foot injuries that bothered him throughout his career finally took their toll, and he was unable to continue playing at a high level. He averaged 19.0 points and 9.2 rebounds in his career, but his best years came during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons when he averaged 22.3 points and 10.2 rebounds.

Yao Ming’s Retirement

In July 2011, Yao Ming announced his retirement from the NBA after nine seasons. In those nine seasons, Yao Ming was an eight-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, and two-time NBA blocks leader. He was also a member of the Chinese national team, winning a gold medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

Yao Ming’s post-NBA career

Yao Ming’s post-NBA career has been just as successful as his time on the court. In retirement, Yao has become a successful businessman, philanthropist, and basketball ambassador.

Since leaving the NBA, Yao has become the owner of the Shanghai Sharks, the Chinese Basketball Association team he played for before coming to the United States. He also started the Yao Ming Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of Chinese children through education and sports.

In addition to his business and philanthropic ventures, Yao has also been an active basketball ambassador, making several appearances at NBA events and even coaching a game in 2016. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in basketball history.

Yao Ming’s legacy

Yao Ming’s legacy extends far beyond the basketball court. Ming was an eight-time NBA All-Star and a two-time Olympian. He is also the only player in NBA history to be elected to start in an All-Star Game in his rookie season.

But Yao’s impact on the game of basketball goes much deeper than his individual accomplishments. He was one of the first wave of international players to make a significant impact in the NBA, and his success helped pave the way for other global stars like Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash and Tony Parker.

Yao also did a tremendous amount of work off the court to grow the game of basketball around the world. He was a global ambassador for the NBA, and he played a pivotal role in helping China host the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Ming’s retirement is a bittersweet moment for basketball fans all over the world. While we will no longer be able to enjoy watching him play, we can all be thankful for everything he did for the game during his illustrious career.