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Yao started playing in the Chinese Basketball Association as a 17-year old and was the league MVP in 2000-01, averaging 27 points and 19 rebounds per game. After a lot of knowledge in international competition, Yao played for China in the 2000 Summer Olympics. After leading the Shanghai Sharks to a league title, he became suitable for the NBA draft.

Yao is one of the most familiar players in the league today and his popularity crosses all borders. Although expectations have been high, he has gradually improved each year and is taking his place as one of the most dominant big men in the game today. Yao is quick and agile for his size and has a solid shooting stroke.

Despite his individual popularity (as seen by the number of votes he gets for the NBA All-Star game every year), team accomplishment in the NBA has eluded Yao thus far and a successful playoff pedigree will be needed for him to his place among the all-time great centres.