Yao Ming Will Wait Week before Surgery Decision

BEIJING (AP) - Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will

have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need

surgery on his broken left foot.

The playing future of the 7-foot-6 Yao is in question amid

reports from the team doctor that the hairline fracture in his foot

could keep him out all of next season, and potentially end his

career.

Yao's agent, Eric Zhang, told The Associated Press today that

"it hasn't been decided yet."

Before that there is no way of telling whether surgery will be

performed.

Yao sustained a hairline fracture of the tarsal navicular bone

late in a May 8 playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The

Rockets

out indefinitely.

Yao is due to make more than $16 million next season, with a

player option for 2010-11 that would pay him more than $17 million.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)