Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has decided to retire after nine NBA seasons, Yahoo! Sports and the Houston Chronicle have reported, citing league sources.
Yao's contract had expired after this past season with the Rockets, who have missed the playoffs the last two seasons.
They played nearly all of that time without Yao as he battled various injuries. He was limited to five games last season after missing all of 2009-10.
"We'd all be really happy if Yao comes back to play, and I hope he can," new Rockets coach Kevin McHale said when he was introduced last month. "I think he'll give it his best shot. His body is going to dictate if he can come back and play. That's all going to be laid out in the future.
"But who wouldn't like Yao Ming, a big guy who can really make shots, just a huge force in the middle? That's out of my control. We'll see where that goes."
In May, Yao said his surgically repaired left ankle was healing properly and he wanted to remain with the Rockets.
But Yao, who had surgery in January, said he wouldn't know until this summer if he'd be able to play again. He became a restricted free agent July 1.
Yao averaged 19 points and 9.2 rebounds a game in his seven-plus seasons.
Recently retired center Shaquille O'Neal congratulated Yao in an online video post.
"We're going to miss you, bro," O'Neal said. "You're one of the greatest players ever to come out of China. You're one of the greatest players, period. I'm going to miss you, brother. Enjoy retirement. Let's go on vacation, bro. Me and you."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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