Yao Ming (Chinese: 姚明; Pinyin: Yáo Míng) (born September 12, 1980, in Shanghai, China) is a Chinese professional basketball player and is considered one of the best centers in the National Basketball Association (NBA) today. He is also among the tallest of players in the NBA standing at a height of 7'6". He is the only son of his father Yao Zhiyuan and Fang Fengdi. He played for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) for five years, and now plays center for the Houston Rockets in the NBA. He was selected by Houston as the 1st overall pick of the 2002 NBA Draft and signed with them on October 21, 2002.

   韩国《每日经济》5月13日文章，原题:易建联现在成了中国篮球的招牌明星中国篮球运动员易建联正渐渐成为代表中国的招牌明星。

12日晚，代表中国出战的22支运动队奥运比赛服装和装备在太庙正式亮相。

当耐克公司总裁兼首席执行官在介绍完其所赞助的中国28个项目的比赛用服装之后，他叫了易建联的名字。

500余名各国媒体记者的目光同时聚向了易建联，同时所有的镁光灯也对准了他。

从这一场面可以看出，易建联已经成为了代表中国的运动明星。

活动结束之后召开的记者招待会上，也是所有的焦点都集中在了易建联身上。耐克公司的相关负责人说:“在中国，易建联的人气赶超姚明。”易建是继王治郅、姚明、巴特尔之后的第四位进入到NBA打球的中国篮球运动员。去年12月，他因出色的球技而获得了NBA的“本月新人奖”。

现在在中国，他的人气不亚于姚明，并呈逐渐上升之势。