Career: Shanghai (China-CBA, 1997-2002), Houston Rockets (NBA, 2002-06). Selected in the first round of the 2002 NBA Draft (#1), by the Houston Rockets.

Yao Ming is a worldwide phenomenon. He debuted in the CBA at 17 and quickly became the most dominant player in the league. He won the CBA title in 2002 just before leaving the country. He was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the first pick overall a few weeks later. He was an All Star in each of his four seasons and was named in the All-NBA Third Team in 2004 and 2006.

Yao Ming has developed himself into one of the most dominant centers in the world and has the potential to become the best. This season was plagued by injuries, first injuring his left big toe and then breaking his left foot. He is not sure to be healthy enough to play at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan. But his main goal is to win the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.