He's set to cast a very long shadow over the sport of basketball, especially in his native China. 他為籃球這項運動帶來了深遠的影響，尤其是在他的家鄉中國。
After nine years and eight All-Star selections, Yao Ming is leaving the NBA. 經過九年和八次入選明星賽，姚明即將離開 NBA。
Persistent injury problems have forced the seven-foot-six star to step down, but his legacy will live on. 久傷不癒迫使這位七英尺六的球星退休，不過他的功蹟將流傳於世。
Yao was integral to the sport's expansion beyond the U.S., and his value to the NBA brand is difficult to overstate. 這項運動擴張到美國之外，姚明功不可沒，他對 NBA 品牌的重要性不可勝書。
Today I need to make a personal decision. I say, basketball, the player, I will stop my career, basketball career, and I will formally retire today. 今天，我必須做出個人的決定。身為一名籃球員，我將中止我的籃球職業生涯，並在今天正式退休。
Thinking back and thinking of the future, I've been very grateful. First of all, I need to be grateful to basketball. It has brought happiness to many people, including myself. 回顧過去並展望未來，我滿懷感恩。首先，我必須感謝籃球，它帶給很多人快樂，包括我自己。
And happiness to a lot of people here, I should mention. I heard people talking about it on the bus home. 我應該說一下，籃球也帶給這裡很多人快樂。我在搭公車回家的途中都會聽到人們在談論籃球。
He really won a lot of hearts here in the U.S. 在美國這裡，姚明真的贏得很多人的心。
And the happiness Yao referred to in that clip extended to the estimated 300 million Chinese fans of the sport, above all. He also earned the adulation of sports fans around the world. 最重要的是，他在那段影片中提及的快樂，延伸到了中國約三億名籃球迷身上，他也贏得世界各地球迷的讚賞。
While Yao has vowed to dedicate his future to the Shanghai Sharks, the team he bought in 2009, his retirement will certainly leave a big hole in the American game. 儘管姚明誓言未來將投身於二零零九年購得的上海大鯊魚隊，他的退休肯定將會在美國職籃球賽中留下一個大缺口。
Mark McKay reports. 馬克‧麥凱帶來以下報導。
With the first pick in the 2002 NBA draft, the Houston Rockets select Yao Ming from Shanghai, China. 休士頓火箭隊是二零零二年 NBA 選秀會第一順位，該隊選擇來自中國上海的姚明。
When Houston drafted Yao Ming, they believed he was the foundation of a bright future. 休士頓選擇姚明時，他們相信他是光明前景的基礎。
During his rookie season, Yao played in every game, averaging more than 13 points and eight rebounds. 在他的第一個賽季，姚明場場出賽，單場平均得分超過十三分和八個籃板球。
He finished second in the voting for the Rookie of the Year Award, and the Rockets improved their one-loss record from the previous year. 他在年度新人獎的票選中名列第二，而火箭隊的勝負紀錄也比前一年進步。
The seven-foot-six-inch center was definitely making a name for himself. 這位身長七英尺六英寸的中鋒絕對為自己闖出了一番名號。
Yo! 唷！
Yao. 姚。
Over the next six seasons, Yao's numbers improved, and he helped lead the team to the playoffs five times. 接下來的六個賽季，姚明的分數表現進步了，還帶領球隊五度打進季後賽。
Though they never got past the second round, his impact in raising the global profile of his team and the league was massive. 即使他們從未突破第二輪，但是在提升他所屬球隊和聯盟的國際形象上，他卻有相當大的影響。
His impact has really been on the game of basketball and the growth of the game of basketball and the growth of the NBA globally. 他確實在籃球比賽、提升籃球比賽素質，以及全球 NBA 的發展上發揮了影響力。
He has taken the league to heights that they would never have realized without Yao Ming in China and, subsequently, he's boosted the Houston Rockets in the same fashion. 他將聯盟在中國的地位帶向高點，沒有姚明，他們將永遠無法實現。隨後，他以同樣方式打響了休士頓火箭隊。
Yao has had a tremendous impact, and his impact's been both on and off the court. 姚明產生巨大的影響力，在球場上下皆如此。
But, literally, there are millions of children that are inspired to play the game, and he's broaden the audience for us. 不過，說真的，有數百萬名孩童受到激勵而打籃球，他還為我們開拓了觀眾群。
But by his fourth year, Yao began suffering injuries to his legs and feet. 不過，到了他第四年時，姚明開始受腿傷和腳傷所苦。
After missing the entire 2009-2010 season, Yao's return to action in November lasted all of five games as he suffered another season-ending injury. 錯過二零零九年至二零一零年整個賽季後，十一月姚明復出總共撐了五場比賽，再度因受傷結束該球季。
With the recent reports that the 30-year-old is retiring, it appears it was a career-ending one. 最近報導指出，三十歲的他宣布退休，看來這次負傷讓他的職籃生涯畫下了句點。