Former NBA star Yao Ming to visit WA on Astini News

Former NBA star and China's most famous basketballer Yao Ming will be making his way to Western Australia later this month for the four-team Cable Beach Invitational tournament in Broome.

Yao, who at 229cm was a giant of the game before injury forced his retirement earlier this year, won't play in the September 30-October 1 series but is instead there to support the team he owns - the Shanghai Sharks.

The 30-year-old played for the Sharks for five seasons before being snared by the Houston Rockets with pick No.1 in the 2002 NBA draft.

He went on to play more that 500 NBA games, with his decorated career helping convert tens of millions of Chinese people into basketball fans.

The Cable Beach Invitational, which also features NBL outfit the Perth Wildcats, the Indonesian national team and the Singapore Slingers, will be played on a custom-made outdoor court overlooking Cable Beach, with ESPN Star to provide live coverage of the event.

"Not only will this elevate the profile of the event, but also provide a great opportunity to showcase our extraordinary state to Yao Ming's millions of Chinese fans," WA Tourism Minister Kim Hames said of Yao's presence.

"He is an eight-time NBA All-Star and one of the world's most recognisable sports personalities."