Ciao, Yao!

Chinese basketball icon leaves the game and a huge legacy after a landmark career with the Houston Rockets in the NBA. Sun Xiaochen reports on his impact from his hometown.

For Chinese all over the world, it was a proud moment when Yao Ming carried the national flag at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics three years ago. The Houston Rockets' all-star center almost provided a different bridge between modern China and the rest of the world with his stunning performances in the NBA - along with his open mind, witty sense of humor and eastern humility - since debuting in the popular league in 2002 as the overall No 1 draft pick. With his unparalleled influence, Yao used his star power to the benefit of communities, charity campaigns and even, in part, Sino-US ties. When the 2.26-meter giant announced his retirement from the basketball court on Wednesday, a huge burden was lifted from his shoulders. China now has to face the tough reality: that there is no one who can step into the shoes of Yao in the foreseeable future.

Li Yuanwei, China's former basketball chief, who witnessed Yao grow from a tentative rookie to one of the nation's iconic sportsmen, felt sad for the giant's departure and said the next Chinese basketball superstar could be years away.