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.

9日下午，上海文广集团召开新闻发布会，宣布其联合导演陈凯歌发起“2008分之一”公益短片行动。陈凯歌将携手国宝级运动员姚明与刘翔拍摄公益宣传片，该宣传片将立足沉静大气的创意风格，以力量与速度为主题，突出中华民族在困难面前不屈不挠的优秀品质。据SMG综艺部总监田明介绍，陈凯歌、姚明与刘翔三人均在获悉拍摄该抗震公益片的第一时间内决定参与，并分文不取，积极配合。姚明不顾其伤势严重，刘翔不顾其排练紧张，陈凯歌不顾《梅兰芳》后期制作周期紧密，三人均给予上海文广以及赈灾事宜最大支持。