Yao Ming's Houston Rockets No. 11 Jersey FULL Retirement Ceremony (2017)

Former Houston Rockets center Yao Ming was honored Friday night as his No. 11 jersey was retired by the club in a ceremony in Houston.
Ming played seven seasons in the NBA before missing the 2009 season because of injury, and subsequently missing all but five games in the 2010 season. He retired shortly after because of injuries.
The 7-foot-6 center was an eight-time All-Star, and is one of two players to be voted in as a starter every season of his career. He averaged 19 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks for his career and was one of the most dominant big men of his generation.
Yao blazed a unique trail. He became the first player drafted No. 1 overall despite not playing in college. And he walked that trail successfully, being enshrined into the Hall of Fame with Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson last year.
"As a basketball player he's one of the best," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said via ESPN. "He presented something you don't really see every day, 7-6 of an unbelievable talent and knowledge of the game.
"When you get to know him, which I have the last year or so, he's a funny guy, a great locker room guy, he added so much to the game. He's a pioneer and what they're doing tonight is great and being in the Hall of Fame is even better. But he deserved everything, if not more."
Former Rockets teammates Tracy McGrady and Dikembe Mutombo were on hand, as were former Rockets stars Hakeem Olajuwon and Calvin Murphy.

[@ufo717212]

A short story behind Yao's jersey number: Yao chose number 11, because that was the jersey number of his girlfriend Ye Li then . (He wore number 15 for Shanghai Sharks before moving to NBA). 6'3'' Ye Li played center for her national team and attended the 2004 Olympics. Moreover number 11 resembles "YY" which combined the initials of this basketball couple Yao&Ye. Yao even printed "YY-11" on the back of his BMW that he used in Houston. Yao chased this girl for almost half a year until she agreed to start their first date in 2000. Ye Li was Yao's first love and the only love. They got married in 2007. Their daughter Amy was born 2010. Great athlete. Sweet couple. Beautiful family.

[@buttface7849]

ukyee that's a pretty rad story

[@ufo717212]

Chris Santos 15 was his number in Shanghai Sharks of CBA, while 13 was his number in national team. Learn to read first, moron.

[@csf3lihao]

Yao need to make more babies, pass that great gene.

[@mbuhplus7800]

Shame they got a child in 2010, would be much better in 2011

[@wangpak7239]

actually yao wanted to have more babies but sadly the policy in China restricted every couple can only give birth to one baby or else they would have to pay half of their total income last year to the government.Because yao is the owner of the Shanghai Sharks, he would have to pay a lot in order to have another baby which is why he didnt do that

[@dsleoleo]

Yao was such a nice person, a great teammate, and a dominate center. He is the true embodiment of all the great things about Chinese culture. So proud of him for what he has accomplished. One cannot imagine the immense pressure and expectation Yao had faced when he first joined the NBA. Yao is an icon. Will be remembered as one of greatest player that has huge impact on the game

[@Spectator007]

He was literally engineered by the Chinese to make China look good in bball. Yao hates baseketball, and wanted to be anarchaeologist but he was forced by the Chinese gov't to play ball since birth.

[@ai4ever346]

Yao brought me into NBA world. My memory is full of those moments that I watched Rockets game with my father back when I was young. Now, I have been abroad by myself for more than 7 years, Yao has retired, and I have not got a chance to watch a game with my father again for long time. I do miss my family, I do miss those moments, Thank you Yao, and Thank you Houston rockets for all of those memories. Barry, Alston, David Wesley, Juwan Howard, Mobley, Battier, Weatherspoon, Luther Head, Bobby Jackson, Hayes, Laundry....forgive me if I spell some of the names wrong, I don't know English at all back at time. With all the respect to LBJ, KD, Curry, Klay, Harden...but my most beautiful memory paused at those names listing above. Best wishes everyone, happy Chinese New Year

[@kylewang7125]

Yao is so overwhelmed at the beginning of his speech, almost got him smashed. #Proud

[@alachmaz6411]

one of the best center of all time,my idol，he has a great influence of the chinese people.I was about 15. 16years old 10 years ago, almost all boys could play more or less Basketball at that time because of him , his greatness is not only about 20PPG 10RPG,his coming to NBA just changed the life of the boys in my Generation.......his speech just brings me back to the old days that I played basketball with my friends on the court in the whole afternoon，time really has wings.

[@c.cosman3674]

second favorite big man of all time. Respect and love to the entire family

[@aarongarza1834]

Yao Ming Yao Ming Yao Ming Yao Ming Yao Ming Yao Ming

[@junyulu1403]

nightmare for warriors if he is playing...

[@bayu7817]

nightmare for every team nowadays actually

[@apllo2701]

Junyu Lu If its a nightmare for Shaq then its a nightmare for everyone

[@siyangliang5974]

I know Howard will cry like a kid

[@munchingmozzarella587]

Yea. He is 7’6. He will dominate at the rim.

[@Ryan-cx7uc]

Eric Chan yup

[@AYou-ko5ki]

好多熟悉的面孔都老了，伴随着我的高中和大学，谢谢大姚！弗拉西斯！麦迪！巴蒂尔！穆托姆博！

[@徐宏杰-i6w]

弗朗西斯混得最差

[@csf3lihao]

毒品害人啦

[@andybc1703]

Mucho texto

[@simplysimple7628]

That memory of Yao working out prior to playing a game in the NBA. They showed him with a trainer working on his footwork and his midrange shots. His touch around the rim from 10-15 ft was absolutely incredible. I swear he hit around 25 straight shots while posting up a big guy. Spot up, turn around, fade away jumpers all net. He wasn’t quick. But he was very skilled and had a great jumper. 7’5” dude that had a release as high as the rim is pretty much unblockable. Some of the best days in the NBA.

[@hoff2939]

Choked up watching this. The 90s championships are the best memories for me but my second favorite memories as a Rockets fan were the Yao and T-Mac teams of the 2000s. The heartbreak of injuries just really leave me wondering what if.

[@HNCelica]

The guy got me laughing the whole time running around not knowing who to pass the microphone to

[@k.w5804]

Man T-mac is classic both on and off the court man.

[@holidayharden8032]

Because of Yao, plenty of Chinese fell in love The Red Nation! Btw I will support this team forever! Much love from 🇨🇳🇨🇳

[@ranganathan223]

Only one Yao ! Never before ! Neve again ! #11

[@c4binF3v3r]

Great honour. Well done.

[@JHN87]

Great player.

[@tristanlee5612]

James Harden said Hey Yao, come to sign with us for 1 season at least , i'll fetch you easy shoot lol

[@ufo717212]

LOL, Adam Silver got the least applause and some boos.

[@LSC124377322]

ukyee I wonder why.

[@osborn959]

I wonder how, I wonder why, I wonder where they are

[@LSC124377322]

osborn hung LOL shut up

[@osborn959]

+Shicong Lu I'm just joking. Don't be mad

[@LSC124377322]

osborn hung And I was joking back :D

[@houtian]

Let me use Chinese! 姚明永远是中国的骄傲！

[@maxloo2]

how ironic when a Chinese uses Japanese in his/ her name.

[@alachmaz6411]

just a Japanese who could speak chinese

[@徐宏杰-i6w]

+maxloo2 you are racist ，bitch

[@maxloo2]

lol? do you even know what "racist" is?

[@沈沁-l8h]

maxloo2 shut up and respect Chinese

[@resurrekt4842]

Guys... you already know this song... YAO MING YAO MING YAO MING

[@FabricioFF66]

Yao, I Great Player, a Great Man... what class!!! FF

[@andyzhang2151]

0:55 He is shaking, nervous.....like Marco Rubio

[@brandonremani]

That 10 day contract joke was underrated lol

[@gautamsane1499]

come on give the man an honorary 10 day contract!! Can we have it start on day 1 of the playoffs?

[@kingturm]

LEGEND

[@safespacebear]

Saw that bad man come to Seattle and embarass my Supersonics. He was impossible to dislike tho. Glad to see him get his flowers

[@raydominguez9351]

Harden at the bench looks so bored at Yao's speech and he was like....lets start the 3rd quarter wtf lol

[@damocles2336]

Harden always looks bored.

[@cebuanongXtaiwan]

In Sports - Yao Ming is the Face of China while In Movie Industry Jackie Chan

[@AznCoolDragon]

Yao really wanted to cry but held it in

[@joaovitorpereiradeoliveira1563]

Yao Ming, joga muito.

[@konton926]

4:03 Heat fan Alert Alert Alert!!!

[@KC-wo5xe]

One of the reason why NBA players salary cap sky rocketed.

[@SprinkleOfSales]

Did anyone else realize how shaky the guy in the middle hand and microphone was

[@pacific_rifle5328]

the night shift yes i was laughing

[@geoh6974]

the night shift aint easy talking to that many people lol

[@esoj7775]

You talking about bill worrel? Dude is a legend bruh. Commentator for the rockets since the late 80s , hes old bro. You’ll be lucky to make it that far you fuck

[@xero_theory7056]

Pacific_ Rifle ..what's so funny

[@zelinwong6090]

He worth it

[@thorodinson7685]

i cant believe lakers still haven't retire 8 and 24 yet

[@skippy69ize]

Thor Odinson dumbass we have to wait till hes in the hall of fame and then his Jersey is retired it took shaq after his career 3 years untill they retire his jersey

[@TMR2418]

Thor Odinson that's no doubt that's going to happen.

[@thorodinson7685]

they already retired duncan's

[@shanglinellis]

He's 7'6 his wife's 6'3 just how tall is their daughter gonna be

[@shilongli9461]

Dolphin Reverse so do i bro ! i want to be 195cm , but i am just 175cm . hopeless man....

[@jangelo4885]

No homo but how long yall think Yaos dick is?

[@udcaps]

2ft 2

[@fuckff3566]

J Angelo 4ft 7

[@CaliPaliGuy]

They had the blueprint man what a short career

[@13141beizi]

"thank you for your humour" *Yao meme*

[@kainoskairos]

They should have used Yao's meme face instead. That would have been glorious!

[@gilbertbikinlong]

T-MAC笑容还是那么迷人 love u forever

[@ben_jamin160]

Yao Ming_ i dont want to talk about it...

[@kelvinbaldwin2927]

一代人的偶像

[@andyzhang2151]

Are they going to retire TMAC's jersey?

[@markjosephperez3506]

a basketball icon not only in china but the whole asia,,,

[@sixtails-]

要 ！~！！！！命！！！！

[@CCCFFHO]

Imagine getting headbutted by Yao's huge head ... No you won't, you are too short...

[@Dimaz42]

Yao's family were all giants 😅

[@詹勇-h5d]

姚明！

[@xjbt5230]

No 1 in Asia

[@shengmarc6818]

只有一个姚明，不会再有第二个

[@antoniodepina6805]

Was it was just me or did anyone else see that fan with a heat jersey

[@黑桃A-q1k]

姚明，传奇

[@sb2301]

This is what retirement ceremony look like RM fans 😏

[@myjmd0819]

when did francis go out of jail?

[@ThereIsAFountainHeavenlyPlaces]

Is Steve Francis Ok ?

[@TA-ew9bi]

I remember thinking Yao Ming was unstoppable as a kid

[@sunnycui7159]

Tony Abbott he got stopped by injuries

[@udcaps]

me too ;(

[@mel51ielts]

Thanks for the comment Prime Minister

[@kly1994]

I’d imagine Yao was unstoppable as a teen and adult also.

[@tristanlee5612]

Yao is a cheat code in 2k17

[@hlh3820]

Tristan Lee inall version he is cheat code

[@PrototypeJoS]

Yao makes everyone look small lol..

[@FroZiroo]

Bruh, Yao's dad is 6'7" and mom is 6'3", imagine how tall his daughter is gona be with a 7'6" dad and 6'4" mother. even crazy is if he had a son. hes probably gona be 8 feet tall or something

[@NicoNico-79797]

29 feet tall

[@sarcastamusraconteur6881]

Olajuwon is so bad ass he has to stand up twice......

[@Greg_Deep]

He still has a big influence on the Houston franchise. Look at the Rockets uniform design and logo.

[@rambojason9238]

greg rose of course!

[@HengLiuMike]

Not just that. Many Houston rockets alumni were invited to play in China, like T-Mac, A Brooks, Wells, Francis, etc. Their pockets grew bigger b/c of the Chinese market and Chinese fans lol

[@aro327]

@@HengLiuMike never thought of that.

[@dorianpaisley-smith303]

For real

[@更大世界]

Well deserved,he is a legend.He is our Chinese people's pride!!

[@nbafanfirst3453]

HE IS HOUSTON'S PRIDE AS WELL!

[@Eric-lr1fi]

It is a pity that Yao and Tmac got so many injuries. Both of em r powerful players. They deserve a championship.

[@nbafanfirst3453]

the worst part of it was when one was clear for playing, the other would then get injured.. when both yao and tmac were on the floor actually healthy together they were fucking dangerous... man life is a bitch aint it.. not everyone can be winners but everyone sure can leave a lasting impression with enough dedication and work. Yao and Tmac never won rings but to the city of houston, these guys are fucking legendary...

[@Eric-lr1fi]

Peter J Choi Yea，good point dude. Cant agree more.

[@yexie8091]

@@nbafanfirst3453 add more common there. The role players are so bad when they are still healthy. The role players are much better after they got injured. We remember those names, scola, landary, brooks…also Artest stay for one year, he is something.

[@casperjones3455]

Yea because yoa and tmac were like kobe very fragile and weak. They would always get injured.

[@jackylee1365]

fucking awesome. Proud of Shanghai and Proud of China!!!

[@恶习滋生毛病不改]

Jacky Lee 上海寧老卵！

[@ac4842]

Yao Ming, thank you for all you've done for this city!

[@papillonvu]

That story about the $2 really touched me! Yao Ming was not just a great basketball player, he is an even better human being!

[@bodeariyo7054]

Congratulations Yao. well deserved. Hakeem 'the dream' Olajuwon. My man

[@AngeloIligan]

17:44 *i thought that was his son or something but when I looked closely it was James Harden* 😂😂😂

[@jamescxd]

Great Yao, can't wait to play him in 2k18 legend team

[@Cristian-vm1bg]

t-mac and yao were the great duo that never was. if those guys stay healthy they win a title. maybe multiple.

[@w87g8765]

ok. I like this guy not only because NBA, Yao's face meme also

[@christianjohnvelasco5333]

Lmao

[@Caleb-vz1fv]

@@christianjohnvelasco5333 Lmao Ming

[@ObitoDawg912]

Yao Ming needs a son asap

[@alachmaz6411]

oh

[@alachmaz6411]

he has a girl

[@ObitoDawg912]

a Lachmaz i know but he need a son like kobe

[@yourdad8444]

mitochondria he is probably gonna be 7'5 ( yao ming son)

[@HazardousNg]

CaptainObitox10 Zhou Qi 😂😂😂

[@Readytogo11111]

shane battier should thank yao ming for life, not many people know that he is the first foreigner that has chinese signature sneaker deal Peak brand

[@0nekhmerXViet]

The only C that was able to hang with Shaq and even get the best of him at times in their primes..

[@Turk_2023]

Hakeem destroyed Shaq....4-0 sweep in the finals... Sabonis played well against him too

[@theesotaricitalian6338]

hakeem dusted shaq in his prime

[@hmoobmeeka]

I don't like shaq but hakeem didn't destroy shaq and shaq couldn't stop hakeem either

[@nlkgaming]

hmoobmeeka 32-10 game 4 sweep 95 finals shut you mouth

[@INoahGuy914]

@@Turk_2023yea but that wasn’t Lakers Shaq, that Shaq was a whole other level. Lol

[@ridhowiranatakusumah6531]

Yao daughter is beautiful

[@ridhowiranatakusumah6531]

The guys who comment on me do you know who i am cos you really in trouble if you say that again

[@kurtcometa4818]

She's cute

[@johnsl7293]

Tf

[@WongChan11]

I will remember Yao in two ways. One, he is one of the greatest center ever played with the Houston Rockets. Two, the "bitch please" meme. Legend

[@Pirantsable]

Echo Tribute famous player, hall of fame, all-star married and have child, is a meme, he only lacks a ring

[@scalabrineplayoff3pt46curr7]

lmao holy smoke steve francis is there! i thought he disappeared to space

[@陈思特]

He is legendary!

[@rizzyyu4898]

14:57 harden be like “that’s a good one, imma use that in my jersey retirement ceremony.” 😂😂

[@jrcastrorwc]

Shaq Killa

[@Gosinyanglee]

You gotta be really good to have your jersey hanging up there..

[@kb24rd]

i feel sorry for steve franchise tho

[@premiumchannel6244]

Rahim Dilekli you mean Nash?

[@kb24rd]

YTG Gamer no man. Steve francis.. Looks like shit sad to see him like that 1 of my fav during his hay day

[@premiumchannel6244]

Rahim Dilekli oh yeah very underrated and stephon marbury is also..

[@CHINABEATBOX]

yes!!!

[@chrissantos3026]

Rahim Dilekli y do u feel sorry for him ? he's a grown man who chose CRACK over his NBA Legacy smh

[@CoCoCo1212]

I'm glad that Yao has been recognized for what he's done on and off the court. A very heartfelt speech. Truly a shame his career had to be cut short. ~ Kido

[@crappytourguide226]

Love how Yao always has jokes and punchline in every speech

[@torinboggsjr3742]

did anybody else hear someone boo the commissioner

[@阮利-j7n]

只怪岁月太无情，场上的明星老了，场下的观众也不再年轻，但那是记忆中永远的美好回忆!谢谢姚明!

[@mightyPants]

Hakeem looks like he can still play in the league today.

[@ronaldlee7566]

His english getting a lot better. The heart & soul of Houston Rockets 🏀🏀🏀💪💪💪

[@shisteve23]

I love that Harden jumped on to and hugged him in the end.

[@MarkAngelNaguit]

Yao is my inspiration and the reason why I am playing center. I also want to be a yao outside basketball. Truly an amazing man!

[@MrZyg86]

He is a great man not only in size but also inside.

[@buttface7849]

Yao was a fucking goat in 2k

[@Dr_Diaz]

I almost cried when battier was talking to yao

[@kainoskairos]

James Harden looks like black Nicolas Cage hiding behind a beard. It's nic cage!!!!!!!!!!

[@hulkrules1567]

WARNING! TEARS AT 12:54

[@cutritelandscapinglawncare874]

He changed the game for Houston hes well deserved cause if his motivation I opened a multimillion landscaping lawncare company

[@belabear]

Yao holds the mic like a lollipop

[@fredrikrugby]

"you know we have a salary cap, right" LMAO Wish Yao could "Make Rockets Great Again"

[@MrZahsome]

Yao and Kobe were the only 2 players who actually implemented Hakeem's game into their own. If Yao were healthy and played a full career, he would be among the greatest of all time when it came to Centers.