Simplify the following text for a Grade 9 native English-speaking person.
Original: Yao Ming ( ; born September 12 , 1980 ) is a professional basketball player who plays for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association ( NBA ) .
Simplified: Yao Ming ( ; born September 12 , 1980 ) is a Chinese professional basketball player . He plays for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association ( NBA ) .