Basketball: NBA remains 'first class' in China despite recent turbulences, says Yao Ming

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and China may have encountered turbulence in their relations over the years but retired great Yao Ming told Reuters the league is still "first class" in his home country. Yao, the chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, soared to stardom in the United States as the eight-time All-Star for the Houston Rockets, an affable, 7-foot, 6-inch NBA big man who dominated the league before retiring in 2011.

Yao propelled the league's popularity in his home country but relations between China and the NBA have not always been smooth. Chinese broadcasters stopped airing Rockets games in 2019 after general manager Daryl Morey posted a message in support of anti-government protests in Hong Kong and, earlier this year, former NBA player Dwight Howard appeared in a promotional video in which he referred to Taiwan as a country, prompting backlash.

"I have to say, the NBA is in the first class...(because) you know the players being exposed in China for so long," Yao said when asked about the past issues between China and the NBA. "The players, the teams (are) all still very well welcome in China and (we had) a couple of players with (in) China just this past summer."

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Yao travelled to New York this week for the first time in nearly four years as part of a roughly 30-person Chinese delegation and met with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at a time when international participation in the league is at an all-time high.

Also Read:Serie A: Juventus go top after dramatic 2-1 win at Monza; Federico Gatti scores 94th minute winner

"Everything looks (like it is) running very, very well (under) his management," he said of Silver, who took the reins in 2014.

Separately, Yao said France's Victor Wembanyama possesses a talent that defies comparison, as the seven-foot, four-inch rookie makes his highly anticipated NBA regular-season debut on Wednesday.

Not since LeBron James 20 years ago has a prospect generated excitement on the level seen for the San Antonio Spurs' first overall pick, who will kick off at home against Texan rivals Dallas Mavericks after a remarkable preseason. "I never see a big guy like, you know, (who) can do such a thing like he does," said Yao, an eight-times NBA All-Star who stands two inches taller than Wembanyama.

"In a scout report where we say 'This guy is - how old he is, you know, his height, his wingspan and his capabilities'... and 'He looks like, let's say, a former somebody', you know. For him, it's like, I don't know who shall I put up... no comparing."

The Hall of Famer was reluctant to offer advice to the Frenchman Wembanyama, who enters the NBA at a time of unprecedented international participation in the league. "He has his own expedition to go (on)," said Yao, who was travelling to New York as part of a some 30-person Chinese delegation this week.

"And my experience probably from 20 years ago, I'm not sure is still fit for today. So I just wish him all good luck."