Yao Ming: Height, Career, Retirement, and Life After the NBA

There’s a reason Yao Ming’s name still comes up whenever basketball fans argue about the tallest players, the most influential international stars, or careers cut short by injury. The 7-foot-6 center from Shanghai packed eight All-Star appearances and a Hall of Fame résumé into a relatively short NBA career, then quietly became one of China’s most powerful sports executives.

Height: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) · NBA career: 2002–2011 · All-Star selections: 8 · Career PPG: 19.0 · Hall of Fame: Class of 2016 · CBA president: 2017–2024

Eight key facts, one pattern: every major milestone in Yao’s life is backed by official records or league data, while the gaps (income, hearing impact) remain unaddressed in any public source.

Is Yao Ming really 7′6″?

Official measurements from the NBA

• Yao Ming’s listed height is 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m), verified by ESPN (official NBA stats partner).
• The NBA combine records confirm this measurement, making him one of the tallest players in league history.

Comparison with other tall players

• Taller than Yao: Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol at 7 ft 7 in – Wikipedia (list of tallest NBA players).
• Tied with several others for third tallest, including Tacko Fall (7 ft 6 in).
• Yao is not the tallest NBA player ever, but he is the tallest ever drafted first overall.

The pattern: Yao occupies a unique space between extreme height and all-around skill – taller than almost everyone, but not so tall that his agility suffered.

Why did Yao Ming retire so early?

Injury history and foot problems

• Retired in July 2011 at age 30 due to chronic foot and ankle injuries – Wikipedia.
• A stress fracture in his left foot required multiple surgeries; he missed 250 games in his last six seasons – Wikipedia.

Decision to prioritize long-term health

• Doctors advised against continued play, and Yao himself cited the need to protect his ability to walk normally later in life – FOX Sports (NBA analysis desk).
• He played only 486 regular-season games – unusually few for a Hall of Fame inductee – yet averaged 19.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game – FOX Sports.

Is Yao Ming the tallest NBA player?

List of tallest NBA players historically

• Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol are both listed at 7 ft 7 in – Wikipedia.
• Yao Ming, Shawn Bradley, and a few others are listed at 7 ft 6 in – Wikipedia.

Where Yao Ming ranks

• Tied for third tallest overall.
• The tallest active player is Tacko Fall at 7 ft 6 in – Wikipedia.
• Yao is the tallest Chinese player ever to play in the NBA – Wikipedia.

The implication: Being “only” tied for third tallest doesn’t diminish Yao’s uniqueness – no one near his height had his shooting touch or footwork.

What does Yao Ming do now?

Role as president of Chinese Basketball Association

• Elected chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association in 2017 – Sports Illustrated (leading sports magazine).
• Stepped down in October 2024 after a seven-year term – Sports Illustrated.

Business ventures and philanthropy

• Owns the Shanghai Sharks, the club where he began his professional career – Wikipedia.
• Has been a WildAid ambassador, using his fame to raise funds for wildlife conservation – Wikipedia.

WildAid environmental ambassador

• WildAid campaigns feature Yao in anti‑poaching and conservation messages across Asia – Wikipedia.
• His work has been cited by multiple conservation groups as a model for athlete advocacy.

Is Yao Ming deaf in his left ear?

Cause and extent of hearing loss

• Yao is partially deaf in his left ear due to a childhood kidney infection at age 7 – Wikipedia.
• The condition never required hearing aids and did not affect his basketball career – Wikipedia.

Impact on his career

• No documented effect on on-court communication; Yao played in an era reliant on hand signals and floor positioning.

The catch: While the hearing loss is a well‑known biographical detail, its real impact remains unquantified – likely negligible given his success.

“I will never be able to play basketball again.”

Yao Ming, retirement press conference, July 2011 (attributed in Wikipedia)

“Yao Ming’s impact on the globalization of the NBA cannot be overstated.”

David Stern, former NBA commissioner (attributed in multiple sports media)

For Chinese basketball, the choice is clear: Yao’s seven‑year term as CBA president modernized the league, but his departure leaves a leadership void. For conservation groups, his continued WildAid ambassadorship ensures the spotlight stays on wildlife protection.

För den som vill veta mer om hans liv efter NBA finns det en detaljerad guide som går igenom hans höjd, pension och förmögenhet.

Frequently asked questions