The cover of Sports Illustrated magazine published on February 10, 2003 shows Yao Ming and the inscription reads “The Year of Yao Ming”. Yao finished his rookie season averaging 13.5 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game, ranking second in the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He was also voted the Sporting News Rookie of the Year and won the Laureus Newcomer of the Year award.
2003年2月10日,姚明的頭像登上了當(dāng)日出版的《體育畫刊》雜志封面,標(biāo)題為“姚明之年”。姚明以場均得分13.5分和場均投籃8.2個(gè)的成績結(jié)束了自己的新手賽季,成為美國職業(yè)籃球聯(lián)賽年度最佳新秀獎(jiǎng)第二名。同時(shí),他被當(dāng)選為該年的體育新聞新秀,并獲得勞倫斯最佳新人獎(jiǎng)。