Basketball Fiend

(Photo credit: Sina.com)

That’s right folks. You read correctly. Yao Ming is gonna be a daddy.

Sina.com reports that Yao’s wife, female basketball star Ye Li, is pregnant with the couple’s first child:

The wife of NBA centre Yao Ming is expecting their first child, sending netizens into a frenzy of hope for a new generation to lead China’s basketball team in the future.

“The news that Ye Li is pregnant is true. Yao Ming and his wife would like to thank all those who are showing concern,” Yao’s China-based spokesman Zhang Chi said.

He declined to give further information, citing “the need for a relaxed environment” for China’s most famous basketballing couple to complete “the most important thing in their lives”.

According to the Beijing News, the 29-year-old Houston Rocket — out for the season as he recovers from a foot injury — is expected to become a father in July. No decision has been made on where the baby will be born.

A July birth date means the baby will be born just in time for the NBA free agency period, giving Mark Cuban a window of opportunity to lock down the next great Chinese basketball star. Who cares if it’s a girl? Women will be playing in the NBA within 10 years anyway. Right, David Stern?

According to Yao’s spokesman having a baby is “the most important thing in [Yao and Ye's] lives”. They’re not alone. It appears this baby is the most important thing in the lives of all other Chinese citizens as well. More than 29,000 people voted in a poll at Sina.com that speculates about how tall Yao’s child will be.

What a bunch of weirdos, right?

(Pause.)

So how tall do you think Yao’s kid will grow up to be?

I’m hoping for eight feet, nine inches.

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