Yao Ming

Yao Ming is a retired Chinese professional basketball player, renowned for his exceptional height of 7 feet 6 inches, which made him one of the tallest players in NBA history. Born in 1980, he played for the Houston Rockets from 2002 to 2011, demonstrating great skill and basketball intelligence. Beyond his athletic achievements, Yao helped bridge cultural gaps between China and the United States, boosting basketball's popularity worldwide. After retiring, he has been active in philanthropy, sports administration, and environmental causes, making significant contributions both on and off the court.