Asian Heritage Athletes in America Feature: Yao Ming

By Gavin Chen

Yao Min, born in Shanghai, China on September 12, 1980, is a Chinese professional basketball player who became one of the most dominant centers in the NBA. Standing at an imposing 7’6” and weighing 310 pounds, Yao was a towering presence on the court. He was selected as the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, immediately drawing attention for his size, skill, and global appeal.

As the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets, Yao had immense pressure to do well, much so from some of the bigger names around the league, including Shaquille O’Neal. Yao went on to fulfill those expectations, and then some, by turning into an eight-time NBA All-Star. His memorable battles against elite centers like Shaq and Tim Duncan proved he belonged amongst the best. Yao’s combination of height, footwork, and shooting ability made him a force both offensively and defensively. He averaged 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game over his career, often leading the Rockets in points, rebounds, and blocks. His post moves and soft shooting touch allowed him to score with ease, while his ability to protect the rim made him a defensive anchor. Instead of being another tall guy, Yao proved very quickly to be so much more through his skill set, work ethics, and sportsmanship that garnered respect from peers, opponents, and fans alike. Coming strong within a league that had typically been an American affair, Yao automatically challenged and shifted the perception of Asian athletes’ abilities in Western sports.

Yao Ming is currently the president of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and remains an influential figure in both sports and Chinese politics. Additionally, Yao is active as a deputy at the National People’s Congress, contributing to discussions on sports development and broader national issues.

(Photo Credit: World Travel & Tourism Council licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License)