Yao Ming

Overall rank: 5

Yao Ming is a retired professional basketball player who played for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. He was the tallest player in the NBA. Yao had an income of 228.84 million yuan (US$35.37 million) during assessment period, making him the richest star among the celebrities. Plagued with injuries throughout his career, he earned heavy media coverage about whether or not he would play. But it’s not been all pain for Ming—last year he became father to a baby girl. His retirement in July attracted huge attention from worldwide media.

Archive:

Born: September 12, 1980, in Shanghai, China

Height: 229 cm

Weight: 141 kg

Occupation: Basketball player

Position: Center, No. 11 Houston Rockets

Career history:

     Chinese Basketball Team

     Houston Rockets (2002–2011)

     Shanghai Sharks (CBA) (1997–2002)

Career highlights and awards:

     8× NBA All-Star (2003–2009, 2011)

     2× All-NBA Second Team (2007, 2009)

     3× All-NBA Third Team (2004, 2006, 2008)

     NBA All-Rookie First Team (2003)

     2002 FIBA World Championship All-Tournament Team

     3× FIBA Asian Championship MVP (2001, 2003, 2005)

Medal record (Competitor for China):

     FIBA Asia Championship:

        Gold 2001 Shanghai National team

        Gold 2003 Harbin National team 

        Gold 2005 Doha National team