Wang Zhizhi, basketball player

   2010 earning:  8.5 million yuan  (US$1.3 million)

Wang Zhizhi is one of the most acclaimed basketball players in China and the first Chinese player to play in the NBA. In1995, he began his career as a member of Chinese national basketball team and became famous.

In 1996, Wang became the first Asian player invited to play for the international squad against the best USA high school players in the prestigious Nike Hoop Summit Game. In 1999, he led the Chinese team to the Asia Championship title, and was selected by the Dallas Mavericks to play basketball in the NBA.