Chinese Baskeball Icon Yao Ming Retires

NBA player Yao Ming arrives at a news conference to announce his retirement from basketball in Shanghai, July 20, 2011 (Reuters).

NBA player Yao Ming reacts during a news conference to announce his retirement from basketball in Shanghai, July 20, 2011 (Reuters).

NBA player Yao Ming holds his daughter Qin Lei next to his wife Ye Li during a news conference to announce his retirement from basketball in Shanghai July 20, 2011 (Reuters).

Houston Rockets Yao Ming (L) slam dunks past Los Angeles Lakers Lamar Odom during the second half of their NBA game in Los Angeles, California, October 26, 2010 (Reuters).

Houston Rockets Yao Ming slam dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of their NBA game in Los Angeles, California, October 26, 2010 (Reuters).

Houston Rockets Yao Ming (11) high fives teammate Brent Barry (17) during the fourth quarter of their NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Ohio, Dec. 23, 2008 (Reuters).

Yao Ming holds a torch as he runs through the Tiananmen Gate during the 2008 Beijing Olympics torch relay in Beijing, August 6, 2008 (Reuters).

China's Yao Ming celebrates after scoring a basket against Angola during a men's Group B basketball game at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 14, 2008 (Reuters).

Patrick Femerling (R) of Germany blocks Yao Ming of China during their preliminary Group B men's basketball game at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 16, 2008 (Reuters).

Yao Ming poses for pictures during the closing ceremony in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 24, 2008 (Reuters).

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming attends the opening ceremony of a school as part of Project Hope in Guangyuan, Sichuan province, July 30, 2010 (Reuters).