Yao set to retire: The news that no one wanted to hear is here: Rockets center Yao Ming has decided to call it a career in the NBA. Yahoo! Sports reports Friday that "Yao has decided to retire from the NBA. He informed the league office within past 48 hours." The decision comes after years of dealing with nagging injuries. Back in December, Yao suffered a stress fracture of his ankle that required season-ending surgery and threatened to end his career. It was assumed at the time that the injury could be career-threatening, as the injury occurred just five games into the 2010-2011 season. Yao had missed the entire 2009-2010 season due to injury. In March, Yao told reporters in Houston that he would attempt a comeback but was cautious in his outlook. The 2010-11 season was the last year on Yao's contract, making him a free agent. (Updated 07/08/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/25/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Yao, 30, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. Due to his overwhelming popularity, he was voted to the NBA All-Star team in each of his eight seasons as a pro. He leaves the game with career averages of 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. There's still a chance he could attempt a comeback, but it appears as if we won't see Yao in the NBA again. Ignore him in all leagues on Draft Day in 2011-12. (Updated 07/08/2011).
07/20/2011 02:14 Chinese great Yao Ming retires from basketball
Yao Ming has made it official, telling a packed news conference in his hometown that a series of injuries have forced him to retire from basketball.
07/19/2011 01:18 Yao to officially retire from basketball Wednesday
Yao Ming should make it official on Wednesday, announcing what is widely expected to be his retirement from the NBA and a sport that made him a household name in China.
07/11/2011 04:56 Yao's retirement could put NBA's profile at risk in China
BEIJING-The expected retirement of Chinese basketball star Yao Ming risks diminishing the NBA's once-burgeoning popularity in the country, with many local fans saying they would no longer watch NBA games.
With injuries having derailed his career, Yao Ming decided to call it a career this offseason. The former No. 1 overall pick averaged 19.0 points and 9.2 rebounds throughout his eight-year NBA career, but could not recover from a rare stress fracture of his ankle that was simply the latest in a series of unfortunate injuries. The former Fantasy superstar will not be of help to Fantasy owners any longer. (Updated 8/28/11)
