Yao Ming announces his retirement

Updated: July 20 -- 8:01am CDT

Posted: July 20, 2011 -- 1:20am CDT.

Yao Ming announced his retirement at a press conference this morning in Shanghai, China. During the press conference, Yao spoke in his native language the majority of the time; however, he did take a few moments to speak in English.

"I would like to thank you for giving me a great nine years in my NBA career," Yao said. "Nine years ago, I came to Houston as a young, tall, skinny player. An entire city changed me into a grown man. Not only a basketball player. I had my first daughter over there.

"I feel also like a Houstonian; and, I will always be with you. Thank you."

As mentioned by the translator, Yao also thanked a few of his Rockets teammates (Shane Battier, Kyle Lowry, Luis Scola, and Chuck Hayes) and the Rockets' organization.

In 2002, Yao Ming was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the number one overall draft pick. Yao was named to the All-NBA Rookie First Team in 2002-2003. He was an 8-time NBA All-Star and a was named one of the top 15 players in the league five times as a five-time All-NBA Team player.

After missing just two games in his first three NBA seasons, Yao was forced to sit out of 250 of a possible 492 games dating back to 2005-06 with an assortment of leg and foot injuries.

He missed all but five games over the past two seasons, including the entire 2009-10 season.

Yao Ming averaged 19.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game during the regular season of his NBA career and 19.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in 28 career playoff games.

NBA Commissioner David Stern added a few comments about Yao Ming's career.

"I remember the 2002 NBA Draft and the thrill of Yao being picked first and the interview with us and to see his reaction and America's reaction to Yao and it grew from there," said Commissioner Stern. "Yao has been, without question, a transformational player for our league; and, a source of enormous pride to the people of China and the people of Chinese descent in the United States.

"He is iconic in the United States. He is iconic in China."

Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey made a few comments before the press conference.

"I want to say first that I'm honored that Yao Ming invited me to his press conference to represent (team owner) Mr. (Les) Alexander and the Houston Rockets," Morey said.

"My first impression of Yao Ming is I've been around a lot of great players; but, none as hard working as Yao Ming. He worked on his game. I don't think people realize how much he worked on his game to improve it. And, then, also, as such a great player, how humble he is; and, then also how funny how humorous he was as well."

CLICK HERE for The HRR's Rockets' write-ups.