Yao, considered one of the best centers in the game who was not able to fulfill his potential as injuries hampered him at the tail-end of his NBA career, confirmed the worst-kept secret in sport that he was retiring from basketball immediately.
The 30-year-old had already indicated he would not be returning to the Rockets and the world’s media had to wait until Wednesday before he confirmed it himself.
The backdrop on Wednesday, however, offered a hint of what was to come with the Chinese characters “ming xie” prominently displayed across it — the phrase is a pun on Yao’s first name which when combined is a formal way of expressing “thank you.”
The seven foot, six inch (2.30m) Yao wasted little time in ending the speculation.
“I am ending my athletic career and am retiring from basketball,” Yao said through an interpreter. Persistent foot injuries had forced his decision, he added.
One of Asia’s best-known athletes, his retirement conference was attended by more than 200 media personnel, his wife Ye Li and their daughter Amy, NBA China officials and the Rockets’ general manager Daryl Morey. China’s state broadcaster CCTV carried it live.
Security was tight with five guards, almost as tall but considerably wider than the NBA player, menacingly standing post at an escalator peering at accreditation passes before people had to pass through airport style screening.
After the statement, the affable Yao posed for photographs with his family, friends, coaches and NBA officials, many of whom he thanked personally before opening up to a fiercely competitive Q&A session with local journalists leaping to their feet to be given the microphone.
One question from a Dutch journalist, however, drew more than its fair share of laughs, when the bold European asked him if he would consider coaching the Dutch national team.
“Coaching is not an easy job to do, its not about one’s own success, it’s about the team success. I already own the Shanghai Sharks team and that is keeping me very busy.
“But good luck to your team,” he added with a grin.
Somewhat surprisingly, the session, which had lasted just over an hour, ended with the minimum of fuss. Yao unfolded himself from his chair, faced the crowd, bowed deeply and exited the stage, turning the page on his trailblazing career.
