Basketball legend Yao Ming has officially stepped down as president of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), ending a seven-year leadership chapter that saw historic highs and challenging lows for the sport in China. Guo Zhenming, previously CBA vice president, will now take the reins.
💬 'Basketball will always be my passion,' Yao said in a farewell statement Thursday. 'I hope everyone continues supporting Chinese basketball with me.' The 43-year-old icon, known globally for his NBA stardom with the Houston Rockets 🚀, became CBA president in 2017, later adding chairman of the CBA Company to his role.
🏅 During Yao's tenure, China's women's team soared to back-to-back Asian Games golds in 2018 and 2023 and claimed silver at the 2022 FIBA World Cup. However, the men's team struggled, missing both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics and failing to advance past group stages in recent World Cups.
Guo Zhenming, who joined the CBA in 2022, praised Yao's 'unparalleled influence' but noted challenges ahead: 'We still have work to do to meet national sports development goals by 2035.'
Before his front-office career, Yao dominated courts worldwide 🌍—from leading the Shanghai Sharks to a 2002 CBA title to becoming an NBA All-Star eight times. His No. 11 jersey hangs retired in Houston's rafters, and he entered the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
