BEIJING, Jan. 5 -- China's NBA star Yao Ming and his wife are expecting their first child, the Guangzhou Daily reported Tuesday.

    A close friend of Yao's wife Ye Li revealed the happy news at a show for the Shanghai World Expo.

    "Ye looks well now and sleeps early every day for the wellbeing of the fetus. The couple hopes to have a boy," said Miao Lijie.

Yao Ming attends the contract-signing ceremony with Maxxis in Shanghai, Dec. 18, 2009. Shanghai Men's Basketball Team was formally announced its new name as Shanghai Maxxis Tire Basketball Team Friday.

    "She was supposed to be with the show today, but I understand that it's inconvenient for her to come," Miao added.

    Ye gained weight recently causing speculation in the media that she was expecting.