Yao Ming, retired Chinese professional basketball player, smiles during a press conference for Beijing 2022 Olympic bid in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, July 29, 2015. [Photo/IC]

Tan Jianxiang, a sports sociology professor at South China Normal University, said that rather than his on-court performances, it was Yao's celebrity influence in helping to spread the US-based sport in China and elsewhere that helped him to stand out.

"He's had a phenomenal impact on increasing awareness of the NBA in places outside the US in a way that no other player could have. Yao's global reach stands as tall as his 2.16-meter frame," he said.

Jeremy Lin, Charlotte Hornets' Chinese-American guard, also praised Yao's inspirational role.

"Congrats Yao Ming on the Hall of Fame! A trailblazer for Asians in basketball and more!" Lin posted on his Instagram account on Tuesday along with a photo with Yao.

Thanks partially to Yao's influence, basketball is played by 300 million people in China, while the NBA is the country's most-watched North American sports league.

However, Yao remains modest about his role as an ambassador.

"Basketball is a global game - the character of basketball already made it global. I'm just a lucky guy showing up at the right time," the Shanghai native said.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn

A young student puts on a red scarf for retired Chinese basketball star Yao Ming at a charity event of Yao Foundation in Shanghai, China, 8 May 2015. [Photo/IC]