Yao Ming has officially retired. Watch a video from his press conference.
“I had been thinking over and over. Today I am announcing a personal decision: ending my career as a basketball player. But one door is closing and another one is opening.” were the exact words Yao used.
“Nine years ago I came to Houston as Yao, tall, skinny player […] The entire city and the team changed me to a grown man, not only as a basketball player. I feel like I’m a Houstonian and I will be always be with you,” continued Yao.
However the Chinese star won’t entirely give up on basketball as he will become the GM of a Chinese club: “Eventhough I am leaving the basketball courts I am not leaving the game. The Shanghai Sharks is how my professional life will continue. I am continuing to learn about managing and running the team and will do my best to bring honour and glory to my hometown and to Chinese basketball.”
{youtube}J4nHDTYgKoc{/youtube}
NBA commissioner David stern issued a statement which said, amongst other: “Yao Ming has been a transformational player for our league and a source of enormous pride to the people of China and people of Chinese descent in the United States.”
