Want His Daughter to Become His Female Version? Yao Ming Says He Respects Her Interests Rather Than Forcing Basketball

At the closing ceremony of the 2026 Hong Kong International Charity Forum, former Chinese Basketball Association president Yao Ming was asked by reporters whether his daughter was being raised with the goal of becoming a “female version of Yao Ming.”

A reporter asked: “Is your daughter’s height about the same as yours?” Yao Ming frankly replied: “No, there is a big difference.”

The reporter then continued: “If she worked harder at basketball, could she become a female version of Yao Ming?” Yao Ming said: “I think interests and hobbies are more important.”

The reporter further asked: “When it comes to her future development, will you value her interests?” Yao Ming answered: “We have always respected children’s interests and thoughts.”

Another reporter asked: “At home, do you provide her with some basketball guidance?” Yao Ming said: “Actually, we have other interests and hobbies as well. We do not necessarily talk about this sport all the time.”

It is worth mentioning that Yao Ming’s daughter was born during his time playing for the Houston Rockets and is now 16 years old. Media and fans have captured her height on multiple occasions, and she is already close to her mother Ye Li’s height.

Yao Ming has also said in multiple interviews that he does not put pressure on his daughter to play basketball, but always respects her personal choices of interests. From a practical perspective, Yao Qinlei has not joined any youth training system and has not pursued a school basketball path; players of the same age, such as Zhang Yi and Zhao Jie, have already emerged on the Chinese basketball stage.

Therefore, if Yao Qinlei does not have a strong interest in basketball, hoping that she will become a female version of Yao Ming is indeed a distant wish.