Yao Ming, the Chinese giant who became the first superstar basketball player from Asia, has told the Houston Rockets and the NBA that he has retired, according to multiple reports.The Houston Chronicle, ESPN and Sports Illustrated reported that Yao has decided against trying to make another comeback after injuries limited him to playing in only five games over the past two NBA seasons.
The Chronicle reported that the 2.29-metre Yao told the club a month ago he was not coming back after eight seasons in the NBA, the most recent of which have been dogged by injuries.
There was no immediate confirmation from the Rockets or the league regarding the status of the 30-year-old Yao, whose groundbreaking career helped the global growth of basketball and made him one of China's most famous exports.