By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The latest developments concerning the executive career of Yao Ming resulted in his resignation from the role of president of the Chinese Basketball Association.
He was replaced by vice chairman Guo Zhenming, as announced on Thursday.
Ming, 44, previously left his role as president of Chinese Basketball Management Centre. This role placed him in command of the top-tier division of his country, the Chinese Basketball Association, also referred to as CBA. He then remained president of the Chinese Basketball Association, CBA, the national governing body for basketball, responsible for the national teams of China.
The former NBA superstar was elected as CBA president in February of 2017, shortly before heading the CBA company as well. He was re-elected in December 2022. Following a tenure of seven years and a few months after stepping down from his position as chief of the Chinese League, he resigned.
During his spell, the men’s senior national team failed to qualify for the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games. In contrast, the women’s national team ranked fifth in 2020 and ninth in 2024, besides capturing silver medals in the 2022 FIBA World Cup and winning gold medals in two consecutive Asian Games.
Before focusing on an executive career in his home country, the Shanghai native played for nine years in the NBA with the Houston Rockets, getting an All-Star Game nod across all eight active campaigns. His storied career and attached success were the main reasons behind the growth of basketball in China.