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- By his fourth birthday, Ming was already taller than the average eight-year-old. While other kids his age rode public buses for free, he had to pay full fare.
- One of Ming’s favorite restaurants in Shanghai is Tony Roma’s.
- In 2000, Ming was drafted in in the 12th round by the Tampa Bay ThunderDawgs of the American Basketball Association.
- Ming is a devoted student of Chinese history. The figure who interests him most isZhu Ge-Liang, a supreme military strategist who lived from 181 to 234.
- Ming’s teammates on the Rockets call him "Dynasty."
- In January of 2003, Ming’s No. 15 was retired by the Shanghai Sharks, the first time any Chinese player ever received this honor. His jersey now hangs from the rafters of Luwan Stadium. His father wore the same number during his playing days.
- Ming led all scorers at the 2006 FIBA World Championships. He averaged 25.3 points per game for China.
- On November 9, 2007, the Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks played a game that was viewed by more than 200 million people. The main attraction was the first meeting between Ming and the newest Chinese sensation Yi Jianlian. Houston creamed Milwaukee, 104–88.
- Ming nailed a three-pointer against the Charlotte Bobcats in 2008–09. It was just the second of his career.
- After the 2008 earthquake in Southern China, Ming helped raise millions of dollars for disaster relief and set up a foundation to help rebuild schools in the region.
- In June of 2008, Ming helped out Kyle Petty as a member of the NASCAR star’s pit crew.
- Chinese Olympic coach Jonas Kazlauskas caused a stir in Beijing when he benched Ming during a blowout by Greece. Jonas felt it was not worth wasting Ming in a hopeless loss, but Ming was furious after the game.
- China announced that after the 2008 Olympics, it would auction of memorabilia from the event—including Ming’s bed.
- Eric Zhang, a business student at the University of Chicago and a distant cousin of Ming's, currently serves as his closest advisor. Zhang heads Team Yao, which includes Frank Duffy and John Huizinga, deputy dean of faculty at the University of Chicago’s graduate school.
- Ming loves video games. His home in Katy, Texas, includes a video-game system worth more than $5,000. He lives there with his parents and his interpreter, Colin Pine. Ming has a girlfriend who remains in China. He wears a bracelet given to him by her.
- For the Chinese New Year, the Rockets gave Ming a custom-made bike worth $15,000.
- Ming is married to Ye Li, a member of the Chinese national team. It was not love at first sight. Ming broke the ice by giving her souvenir pins he collected at the 2000 Olympics. They had dated for more than three years before getting married in the summer of 2007.
- Ming now makes over $50 million a year from his NBA salary and international endorsement deals.
Yao Ming, Rockets promo
Yao Ming,
2002 Topps XPlosion
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