HOUSTON -- Houston Rockets all-star centre Yao Ming is retiring after nine NBA seasons, according to a person with direct knowledge of his decision. A.J. Hawk Jersey . The person spoke on condition of anonymity, because Yao has not announced his plans. Yao has scheduled a July 20 news conference in Shanghai to talk about his future. Yahoo! Sports first reported that Yao is retiring. The person says neither Yao nor his representatives have informed the league office of Yaos decision, and the league says Yao has not filed paperwork that would make his decision final. Neither the Rockets nor the league are allowed to comment on Yaos decision because of the lockout. The seven-foot-six Yao was the top overall pick in the 2002 draft, but his promising career has been hampered by foot and leg injuries. He sat out the 2009-10 season, then lasted only five games in 2010-11 before sustaining a bone bruise and fracture in his left ankle. He underwent surgery in January, and was hopeful of returning to Houston this season, even though his contract expired. But Yao turns 31 in September, and the person close to him said Yao decided the risk of another injury and subsequent rehab was too great. "There is no way he will come back," the source wrote in an email. "His body cant hold that, and if he plays again, there is risk to get hurt again. Yao does not want to take another surgery. He is done." Yao was an eight-time all-star, and averaged 19 points and 9.2 rebounds in eight seasons. He was already an international star before the Rockets made him the top overall pick, and he answered skeptics by earning first-team, all-rookie honours. Yao played in the post-season four times, and helped Houston win a first-round series in the 2009 playoffs for the first time since 1997. He ranks second in team history in blocks (920) behind NBA career leader Hakeem Olajuwon, and ranks sixth in points (9,247) and rebounds (4,494). But his impact on the NBA transcended statistics, as he evolved into a global icon, and expanded the leagues reach throughout China and across Asia. Merchandise sales and TV ratings for games skyrocketed, and Yaos presence in the league helped several other NBA players secure shoe contracts in China. The first speculation of Yaos retirement triggered a frenzy in China. Thousands of fans flooded online forums on Saturday reacting to the news. One wrote: "Hes Chinas top athlete ... its a pity to lose such a sports icon." The countrys most popular online portals, sina.com and sohu.com, headlined the news of Yaos possible retirement prominently on their home pages. Yaos life was intensely scrutinized in his home country. When Yaos wife, Ye Li, became pregnant, Chinese fans wondered if the baby would be born there or in America, and Yao said the couples decision would be a "private" matter. The baby girl was born in Houston in May 2010. John Huizinga, one of Yaos American agents, would not confirm the early reports of Yaos decision to retire, out of respect for Yaos privacy. "The guy has worked very hard, hes put up with a lot, carried a lot of burden for a lot of people," Huizinga said. "I think he would like to run this part of his life the way hed like to run it. I understand other people dont feel that way. I dont like it, but Im not going to be able to change it." Other times, Yao embraced the spotlight, and was eager to show his national pride. He carried the Olympic torch through Tiananmen Square and carried his countrys flag during the opening ceremony for the Olympics in Beijing in 2008. He broke his left foot late in the 2007-08 NBA season, but hurried his recovery so he could play for his team in those Olympics. Yao guided China to the quarterfinals, averaging 19 points and 8.2 rebounds in six games. Yao also donated US$2 million to set up a foundation to rebuild schools destroyed by the earthquake in Sichuan province in May 2008. Marc Ganis, president of Chicago-based consultancy SportsCorp, said Yao became "the embodiment of the cultural aspirations of the Chinese society," through his work ethic, humility and team-oriented attitude. "Theres never been anything like him before," Ganis said, "and I doubt well ever see anything like him again." Former Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy, now a television analyst, said Yao deserves Hall of Fame consideration, not just for his statistics, but for his unprecedented impact on the game. Van Gundy coached Yao from 2003-07. "Hes been one of the greatest ambassadors to ever set foot on an NBA floor," Van Gundy said. "This guy touched so many people, and really opened doors in China, not only for himself, but for so many others. "In his eight years, he accomplished as much as any player has ever accomplished," Van Gundy said. "He was the real deal, as a player and as a person." nfl jerseys china . - Clayton Kershaw didnt get what all the fuss was about. cheap jerseys online . Miles Plumlee and rookie Dionte Christmas, 3 for 4 on 3-pointers, added 14 points each. Starting point guard Goran Dragic, who was 0 for 3 in 7 minutes, was the only one of Phoenixs 16 players who did not score. http://www.chinajerseyscheap.us/ . Johnny Aprile, six-foot-two and 208 pounds out of Queens, was the 16th pick overall earlier this month and the Bombers plan on using him as a defensive back. nfl jerseys china . "I see a hockey player who has moxie, who has the ability to step up into the play when needed, he has the ability to play strong defensively, he skates strong, he loves the game," said Oiler assistant coach Steve Smith, who has seen virtually every one of the 34 games Schultz played this season with the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League. Womens Bruce Smith Elite Jersey . The Winnipeg native also picked up an assist as Vancouver improved to 13-8-1 while Prince George dropped to 6-13-2. Each team had a chance to open the scoring with breakaway opportunities within a minute of each other midway through the first.HARRISON, N.J. - Fabian Espindola scored twice in the first half to lead Real Salt Lake past the New York Red Bulls 3-1 in Major League Soccer on Wednesday.Alvaro Saborio opened the scoring for Salt Lake in the 7th minute before Espindola extended the lead in the 11th and 21st minutes.Joel Lindpere scored the lone goal for New York in the 69th minute.The win marked Real Salt Lakes fifth straight and moved it into a share of second-place with Seattle in the Western Conference.In other matches,Juan Pablo Angel scored twice to lift Chhivas USA to a 2-2 draw with D. Mike Daniels Jersey. C. United, while Khari Stephensons goal in the 70th minute allowed the San Jose Earthquakes to salvage a 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers.Angel scored in the 57th and 70th minutes for Chivas to end Chivas USAs four-match losing streak.Dwayne De Rosario and Ethan White scored for United.Portland, which extended its unbeaten streak to five games, took a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute with a goal by Kenny Cooper.The draw boost the Timbers chances of reaching the MLS playoffs. ' ' '