Yao Ming has decided to retire after eight seasons in the NBA, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
The Houston Rockets star center reportedly informed the league office within the past two days.
Yao, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, has only played in five games since the 2008-09 season due to injuries.
The 7-foot-6 center became a restricted free agent on July 1.
Yao, 30, suffered a stress fracture to his left ankle back in December. The injury required season-ending surgery.
He averaged 19 points and 9.2 rebounds throughout his career.
