When China's Yao Ming retired from the world of basketball, he left behind a legacy as the greatest Chinese player to ever play the game, but it's his exploits off the court, that could lead to Yao being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as early as next year.

The big man, has been nominated for the Hall as a contributor to the sport.

The Hall has confirmed that Yao will be considered for the hall after being nominated by a Chinese media member. Yao's credentials will now be evaluated by a seven-member panel...and will require six of the seven members to select him to enter the hall. He will also face stiff competition as there are expected to be 12-15 other candidates for the lone "contributor" spot in 2012.

Yao, should have a case given his role in growing the game in China and Asia along with his charitable efforts and his role in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

According to Hall of Fame rules, a player is not eligible to be selected to the Hall as a player until five years after he retires. If Yao does make it in as a contributor and five years later as a player, he would become the first player ever to be selected as both.

(CNTV August 11, 2011)