Yao Ming auctions his wine during a charity auction held by Special Olympics East Asia in Shanghai, Nov 27, 2011. The wine was sold for 150,000 yuan ($23,499). [Photo/Xinhua]

The year 2011 has been remarkable for Chinese basketball as the past 12 months witnessed not only the retirement of superstar Yao Ming, but also the continuous development of the sport in China since the flag-bearer stepped off the court.

The date, July 20, 2011, has been etched in the history books of Chinese basketball as the Houston Rockets center Yao announced his retirement from the sport in Shanghai, his hometown.

Five days later, the Chinese pivot also announced his retirement from the national team in Beijing, thus concluding his playing career at the age of 30 years and 10 months old.

The news made the headlines across the country and fans from all over the world sent in their wishes to Yao on the internet.

The national team also retired Yao's jersey - the first Chinese player to receive such an honor.

Yao is a rare example of a successful Chinese athlete without any title or medal achievements. He twice led China to the quarterfinals at the Olympic Games (2004 and 2008) and finished 12th at the world championships in 2002.

His best mark in the NBA was a second-round finish in the playoffs in the 2008-2009 season.

Although he did not win an Olympic or NBA title, Yao's success goes beyond the basketball courts. He shot to fame worldwide when he was selected as the No.1 pick by the Rockets in 2002, and won over fans with his diligence, determination and passion for the game.

With Yao Ming in the center, basketball became one of the most watched and popular sports in China.

But while fans rued Yao's decision to retire, his teammates in the national squad ensured the fans got their fill of the game. Two months after Yao quit, China's men's and women's qualified for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The Chinese girls beat South Korea 65-62 to win the Asian Women's Basketball Championships in Japan on August 28 to clinch the berth for London.

The men's team held on to edge Jordan 70-69 in the final to reclaim the continental title for the first time in six years in Wuhan on September 25 - good enough for a ticket to London.

The domestic Chinese Basketball Association league also hit a series of records in terms of spectator turnout, TV viewership and sponsors in its 16th season.

Yao's retirement thus did not hinder the development of the game in China. Instead, Chinese basketball has moved ahead to a brighter future.