NBA: Yao Ming Officially Retires

Yao Ming officially retired today in a press conference from his hometown Shanghai, China.

quote:

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"I will formally end my career,"..."Today is an important day for me and holds a special meaning for both my basketball career and my future," Yao said in comments translated into English. "I had to leave the court since I suffered a stress fracture in my left foot for the third time at the end of last year. My past six months were an agonizing wait. I had been thinking (about my future) over and over. Today I am announcing a personal decision, ending my career as a basketball player and officially retire. But one door is closing and another one is opening."

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Yao played 8 seasons with the Rockets but a series of foot and leg injuries forced him to end his playing career at the age of 30. He will now return to work with his former Chinese team, the Shanghai Sharks, with the possibility of becoming their GM.