Houston Rockets retires Yao Ming’s No. 11 jersey
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E-mail CGTN, February 5, 2017
Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming was honored by the only NBA team that he played for, as the Rockets retired his number 11. The Chinese center was there to see his uniform raised to the rafters. Numerous NBA luminaries, such as commissioner Adam Silver, Rockets owner Les Alexander, along with former teammates were on hand for the celebration.
"Many thanks...when I first came to town...the fans' faces in my brain..." Yao said.
After Yao's speech, the focus of the crowd turned to the rafters of the arena, to see the former all-star's jersey hang with other Houston legends.
The Rockets have now retired the numbers of six players. Yao joins the likes of Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon in Houston folklore. The Chinese basketball player was the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. The 36-year-old received hugs from the current squad of Houston players during half-time of the their game against the Chicago Bulls.
