Wang Zhizhi (王治郅)

   Sport: basketball

2010 ranking: 10 2011 earning: US$1.34 million

Wang Zhizhi, born in July 1977, is one of the most acclaimed basketball players in China and the first Chinese player to play in the NBA. Wang started his professional career in 1995, and 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, Wang led the Chinese team to the Asia Championship title, and was selected by the Dallas Mavericks to play in the NBA. In April 2006, he returned home and rejoined the national basketball team. In September 2011, Wang helped the team win the 2011 FIBA Asia Basketball Championships.