Yao Ming (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Although Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming never won a championship during his NBA career, his remarkable size and athleticism have left a lasting impression in the league. Nevertheless, surely basketball fans have never assumed to see the former NBA superstar on Sunday as an assistant coach in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Yao Ming has taken on the position of assistant coach for the Chinese women’s basketball team. His presence on the sidelines was met with awe and excitement from fans who never expected to see him in this capacity. Seeing Yao Ming back in action, even in a coaching role, has reignited admiration and respect for the basketball legend.
Some fans on social media were scratching their heads over his appearance, while others praised the Hall of Famer and voiced their excitement.
“Wait is that Yao Ming on the sidelines as an assistant for the China national team?!” a surprising fan’s comment read.
“This is massive. Team USA, prepare for a surprise,” one fan wrote in the comment.
Fans are assured that the Chinese women’s basketball team is going to win something great in the Olympics, as Ming is there to extend his basketball knowledge to the team.
“Yeah the Chinese women are definitely gonna get that gold,” a comment read.
Yao Ming’s Stellar NBA Career
Yao Ming’s NBA journey began when the Houston Rockets selected him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. He was the highest draft pick ever to come directly from an international league.
During his eight seasons in the NBA, Yao was selected for the All-Star roster eight times and was named to the All-NBA team five times. Standing at seven and a half feet tall, he averaged 19 points and 9 rebounds per game throughout his career.
Beyond the NBA, Yao also achieved significant success internationally. He won three gold medals and earned the MVP title three times at the FIBA Asia Championships.
In 2011, Yao Ming announced his retirement from basketball due to persistent injuries to his foot and ankle.
