Yao Ming honoured in Houston as Rockets retire his jersey
Chinese Hall-of-Famer becomes team’s sixth player to receive the honour
The first time Yao Ming ever watched an NBA game as a young boy in China, he wondered why there were jerseys hanging in the rafters.
“The cameras randomly gave a shot of the retired jerseys,” Yao said. “I slowly realised over time that’s the highest honour a player can achieve for themselves and for the team. I will always ask myself, ‘What is the story behind it?’ I hope people see the jersey there and remember the story. Not just myself, but my teammates, my opponents, we put a story together.”
The Rockets retired Yao’s No. 11 jersey in a half-time ceremony when they hosted the Chicago Bulls.
The 7-foot-6 centre from Shanghai was the top overall draft pick in 2002 and was an eight-time All-Star, playing nine seasons in Houston before retiring in 2011 because of mounting issues with injuries. He averaged 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks a game and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in September.
“It was really sad for me that his career was cut so short because I think if he had been able to stay on, we would have been able to win a couple of championships,” Rockets owner Les Alexander said. “He’s a great human being and a great basketball player.”
Yao becomes the sixth Rocket to have his number retired, joining Hakeem Olajuwon (No. 34), Clyde Drexler (No. 22), Moses Malone (No. 24), Calvin Murphy (No. 23) and Rudy Tomjanovich (No. 45).