(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY: NICK GERHARDT

ANCHOR: JENNIFER MECKLES

Yao Ming is retiring! Probably. Yahoo Sports broke the news on Houston’s Chinese big man Friday night--but none of Yao’s agents has officially confirmed it yet.

Though other NBA stars like Shaquille O’Neal (who retired after 19 seasons), have careers spanning nearly 20 seasons, Yao reportedly steps down after less than a decade. SI’s Sam Amick explains Yao’s intense nationalism may be the culprit.

“He was so dedicated to his country and bridging the far east and the NBA, and he did that so incredibly well. Now that we look back on a career that was cut way too short, it’s hard to not point the finger at all that time with the Chinese team and wonder how much of a part that played in the early exit.”

Yao remains China’s foremost basketball star. Former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Jalen Rose explains, Yao’s NBA numbers are solid, but the number that matters is three billion.

“His presence was bigger than actually what he did on the floor. Because being a productive player from China, he now globalized the game in that market of three billion people. Now the NBA is able to thrive in that market because of his presence. ”

Chinese news portals ran his retirement story on the front page, according to CNN.    Sina.com headlined, “Chinese Super Sports Icon Yao Ming Retires From NBA.”

According to that report, ratings for NBA games on CCTV have topped all other sporting events since Yao was drafted in 2002--a boon to the NBA, as well as Yao’s Houston teammates.

“Tons of Yao's teammates, or ex-teammates, in the Rockets had signed endorsement contracts with Chinese companies. Some of them, including All-Star guard Steve Francis, came to play at the Chinese domestic league.”

But will China still tune in with their goodwill ambassador away from the court?

CNN reports that ratings remained high during Yao’s injury-plagued seasons, but a few fans are bound to tune out if he officially exits.

Here’s a fan tweet quoted by CNN.

"I feel a little bit of sadness. If Big Yao retires, it is not only the end of an era, but also the end of my NBA-syndrome.”

CNN also reports, distraught Chinese fans hope the superstar could still play -- not only in the NBA but for the Chinese national team in the London Olympics next year. Yao will make an official announcement about his “future plans” on June 20.