The NBA’s Most Famous (And Infamous) Foreign Born Players

Yao Ming (China)

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Yao Ming was the tallest man in the NBA at the time of his retirement, a towering Chinese giant at seven-foot-six. Yao was chosen with the first pick in the 2002 NBA Draft and went on to make eight All Star teams and five times All-NBA. He remains the only player from outside the United States to lead the NBA in All-Star votes, though it feels like Giannis Antetokounmpo will catch him one of these years.

Yao battled through constant nagging injuries at his size but was a walking 20 and 10 when healthy, with a soft feathery touch and a mountain of defense. He is perhaps single-handedly responsible for bringing the NBA to the billion people of China.