( CNN ) -- Chinese basketball star Yao Ming has suffered a fresh injury setback which could place his NBA career in jeopardy . The seven-time All-Star has a stress fracture in his left ankle , his Houston Rockets team announced on its website . Yao , 30 , has been sidelined since November 10 after playing just five games in the current NBA campaign . The giant 7ft 6 ( 2.29 meters ) center also sat out all of last season after fracturing a bone in his left foot and undergoing major surgery . The Rockets said his stress fracture is related to the previous injury and was discovered by an MRI scan after problems emerged during his rehabilitation program . `` There is no timetable for his return at this time , '' said the statement . Yao averaged 10.2 points and 5.4 rebounds a game in his five games this season for the Rockets , whose playoff hopes have been dented by his absence . Yao was the first pick in the 2002 NBA draft and has built up a reputation as one of its leading players during his career at Houston . A national hero in China , Yao has represented his country in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics , helping them to the quarterfinals on each occasion . He carried China 's flag at the opening ceremony for the 2004 Games in Athens .
Chinese basketball star Yao Ming sidelined by stress fracture to left ankle . The injury occurred in a game against the Houston Rockets on March 22 and will keep him out of action for at least six weeks. Yao previously broke a bone in his left foot in injury-plagued career . At 2.29m he is the tallest player in the NBA .