Yao Ming is set to take the plunge into married life in August, according to two sources close to the NBA star.
The 27-year-old Shanghai native, an NBA All-Star and linchpin of the mainland team, has been dating Ye Li for several years. The couple made their relationship public in 2004 when they appeared hand in hand at the closing ceremony of the Athens Olympic Games where Ye, also a basketball player, was part of the mainland women's team.
Since then little has been heard about the pair, apart from occasions where they were pictured wearing identical wristbands.
But the lid was lifted on their low-key matrimonial plans yesterday by Daryl Morey, general manager of Yao's team, the Houston Rockets.
Asked about Yao's summer schedule, Mr Morey told hoopsworld.com website: 'He's working out in China in July, then getting married in August, and playing with the Chinese team in China in September', letting slip the marriage plan.
Lu Hao, a key member with Team Yao, the group of lawyers and consultants that represents Yao in his business activities, confirmed what Mr Morey said was true.