BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The wife of Chinese basketball star Yao Ming gave birth to a daughter Friday afternoon at a hospital in Houston, the United States, Yao's agency said.

Yao, who has been sidelined for about a year due to a foot injury, said he wants to thank everybody who cares about his wife, Ye Li, and his daughter during the past several months.

NBA basketball star Yao Ming and his wife Ye Li are seen in a wedding photo.

The NBA All-Star center said he hopes the media do not throw the spotlight on his family so that his daughter could grow up like other babies of ordinary families.

Yao is expected to come back on court next season.