Yao Ming to Spark Global Basketball & Hip-Hop Culture Month 2K12

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Yao Ming to Spark Global Basketball & Hip-Hop Culture Month 2K12

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July 20, 2011- Yao Ming the former Houston Rockets star center announced his retirement today from the NBA. Yao was an 8-time All-Star selection who's career was cut short with chronic injuries that wouldn't allow him to play.

The NBHHCM (National Basketball & Hip-Hop Culture Month) Foundation will proclaim July 2K12 as the first year of observance for GBHHCM (Global Basketball & Hip-Hop Culture Month).

Since 2009 June has been observed as NBHHCM in the U.S. and will remain so due to the NBA being founded (6/6/46) and the NBA/ABA Merger (6/17/76) of 1976 both occurring during the proclaimed month of June.

The NBA Finals and the start of the WNBA season also occur during the month.

June is a big month for hip-hop with rap-artists on tour dates and releasing albums. Hip-hop's biggest star Jay-Z released his debut album 'Reasonable Doubt' 15-years ago on June 25, 1996. The next day on June 26, 1996 the poster-boy for hoops and hip-hop culture Allen "The Answer" Iverson was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with number 1overall pick of the 1996 NBA Draft.

Iverson became a renaissance man to the culture for more than a decade. His place is now occupied by LeBron James.

GBHHCM will be sparked by Yao Ming becoming a Global Ambassador of the game. His presence along with Asian countries promoting the original "4 Elements" of hip-hop (emcing, djing, graffiti, and break dancing) more than the kids and young adults here in America will continue and expand the fusion of hoops and hip-hop.

FIBA: International Basketball Federation will celebrate its 80th Anniversary (6/18/12) of being founded next year. FIBA was founded on June 18, 1932. FIBA was founded one-day after the NBA/ABA Merger of 1976 was announced June 17th. To honor the historic 80th Anniversary milestone GBHHCM will be proclaimed for the month of July 2012.

Celebrating  GBHHCM during the month of July will allow the rest of the world a full month-long celebration of hoops and hip-hop culture, and will also continue the two-month long observance during the Summer.

NBHHCM (June) and GBHHCM (July) will give major companies connected to hoops and hip-hop more marketing and branding opportunities for their products and goods.

A Global study estimated that 11% of the population plays basketball an amazing 450 million people world-wide. The highest age rank of players is between 12 and 24. That age group male and female are extremely influenced by hip-hop culture and music on a Global basis.

The hoops and hip-hop culture trend that began in the U.S. during the early 1980's is entering its 4th decade with a more broader audience. The internet and satellite feeds of basketball games, news, and hip-hop music connects the world more than ever.

GBHHCM (Global Basketball & Hip-Hop Culture Month) July 2K12