In the latest unprecedented and monumental turn in Yao Ming 's life, the Rockets' rookie center was invited to a reception for Chinese president Jiang Zemin today, an honor that clearly moved Yao.

BEIJING — Yahoo! Sports’ report that Yao Ming is retiring left saddened Chinese basketball fans in disbelief. Thousands of fans flooded online forums on Saturday reacting to the news.

Having appeared in a documentary and played himself on "The Simpsons," Houston Rockets star Yao Ming finally gets to voice a whole different character for an upcoming Chinese-language animated film.