Yao Ming to retire from Rockets

HOUSTON, July 8 (UPI) -- Yao Ming, who went from the Shanghai Sharks to the Houston Rockets, has decided to retire, sources told Yahoo! Sports Friday.

In recent years, Yao has had problems with injuries, playing only five games in the last two seasons. In his most recent game Nov. 10, he suffered a stress fracture in his left leg.

Yao reportedly notified the NBA of his decision late this week, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Born in Shanghai, Yao, 30, was the first Chinese star in the NBA. He played for five years with the Sharks before he was drafted by the Rockets in 2002.

In Houston, Yao made the All-Star team eight times and averaged 19 points and 19.3 rebounds per game. At 7-foot-6, he was also the tallest player in the NBA.

Yao also became a symbol of American basketball's growing global reach.