Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, the top overall pick of the 2002 NBA Draft, will retire after struggling with foot and ankle injuries in recent years, Yahoo! Sports reported Friday.
The seven-foot-six native of Shanghai, China, notified the league office and the Rockets over the past 48 hours, according to the report.
An eight-time All-Star, Yao leaves the game with a career average of 19 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks, with a field-goal percentage of 52.4.