Basketball star Yao Ming to become a father

China's NBA star Yao Ming and his wife are expecting their first child, the Guangzhou Daily reported today.

A close friend of Yao's wife Ye Li revealed the happy news at a show for the Shanghai World Expo.

"Ye looks well now and sleeps early every day for the wellbeing of the fetus. The couple hopes to have a boy," said Miao Lijie.

"She was supposed to be with the show today, but I understand that it's inconvenient for her to come," Miao added.

Ye gained weight recently causing speculation in the media that she was expecting.

China's NBA star Yao Ming and his wife are expecting their first child,  the Guangzhou Daily reported today.