Who is Yao Ming's wife Ye Li? Taking a closer look at personal and professional life of Ye Li

Yao Ming is a native Chinese basketball player who took his talents to America and became an NBA legend.

Ming was drafted by the Houston Rockets as the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. Despite playing only nine seasons, the Chinese giant was an All-Star for most of his career. Considering his achievements on the court, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

Being a great basketball player, Yao Ming got attracted to a lady from the same field, but who is she? Here's all you need to know about Ming's wife, Ye Li.

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Looking at Yao Ming's wife Ye Li

Yao Ming (right) with wife Ye Li and Child

Yao Ming's wife Ye Li was a professional basketball player who played in China. She represented her country at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Li was born on November 20, 1981, which makes Ye a year younger than her husband. Like Ming in the men's division, Li was also a tall basketball player in the women's division, standing at 6-foot-3.

Ye Li was born in Shanghai, East China, and has Chinese ancestry. She attended the University of Houston and was spotted in numerous Houston Rockets games to support her partner Yao Ming, according to reports. She used to play for the Shanghai Sharks in 1999. However, her selection to the Chinese basketball team in the 2004 Summer Olympics is her most notable feat.

Unfortunately, Li's basketball career was short, as she only participated in six games. However, she displayed some exceptional performances during her active years.

When Li and Ming attended the same training facility, Shanghai Youth Sports School, they became friends. They also shared a common professional history as members of the men's and women's basketball teams, respectively, and developed a relationship as a result.

Yao Ming was apparently the first to fall in love, saying that it was meaningful. They both had favorable initial perceptions of the other. Ming was perceived by Li as mature and stable, while Ming thought that Lie was as gorgeous as a goddess. Sources claim that Yao Ming had a serious crush on Yi Li and did everything in his power to win her over by buying her tons of presents.

The couple wed in August 2007 after seven years of dating. About 40 guests attended the intimate wedding ceremony at the Pudong Shangri-La. On May 21, 2010, they had a baby girl who was named Yao Qinlei, or Amy in English.