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

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@ac4842]

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

[@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

[@kylewang7125]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@jamescxd]

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

[@sarcastamusraconteur6881]

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

[@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

[@Cristian-vm1bg]

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

[@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

[@bodeariyo7054]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@陈思特]

He is legendary!

[@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

[@aarongarza1834]

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

[@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!

[@ronaldlee7566]

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

[@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！

[@c.cosman3674]

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

[@w87g8765]

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

[@christianjohnvelasco5333]

Lmao

[@Caleb-vz1fv]

@@christianjohnvelasco5333 Lmao Ming

[@crappytourguide226]

Love how Yao always has jokes and punchline in every speech

[@MrZyg86]

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

[@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

[@shisteve23]

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

[@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

[@bowlampar]

We are all going to miss you , Mr Yao Ming! Wish you the best ....

[@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

[@PrototypeJoS]

Yao makes everyone look small lol..

[@AngeloIligan]

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

[@Dr_Diaz]

I almost cried when battier was talking to yao

[@pcheng1984220]

He is my teenage memory, I am a Lakers fan, but I would watched Rocket's games just because of him. All of the Chinese are very proud of him.

[@weibinzheng3204]

Damn. Don’t know why my tears down when the Houston fans keep applauding for this big man.

[@HNCelica]

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

[@lingdongzhao9316]

MAD RESPECT!

[@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.

[@kiflomloops4927]

Yao inspired us so much. I'm glad i bought his rocket jeresys back in the day and wore them to school

[@holidayharden8032]

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

[@rizzyyu4898]

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

[@toroman8677]

Love Yao! Love HOUSTON, love my Rockets and love Bill Worrell.

[@ronpasa5359]

All respect and love to Yao.

[@white_rice_1616]

I miss you yao😭

[@nairdapotatoe203]

Such a nice guy! Totally deserved!

[@Gosinyanglee]

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

[@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.

[@LongTimeTTFan]

A great athlete. A greater human being.

[@timebombII]

Yao is truly all time great. A center this tall yet has the softest touches around the rim AND from range. Imagine a showdown between him and Embiid!

[@Sleepydill]

The way he was looking at the jersey, dreams accomplished

[@michaeljackson5127]

A guy never reached his prime, so sad that Yao had been suffering from those injuries throughout his career and had to retired at such a good age

[@willlee2522]

Yao Ming accounted for big part of my member when I was a kid and teenager, I just miss the day that NBA still have Yao,T- mac, AI, Garnett, pp...... I just took basketball as granted back in these days.

[@bmoneybesteves]

career ended so early for him. He deserved a ring.

[@mightyPants]

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

[@k.w5804]

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

[@kevrolld]

Only the Spurs & Rockets do jersey retirements this well! Crazy how even the commissioner & NBA execs come thru for these franchises!

[@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.

[@ranganathan223]

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

[@jrcastrorwc]

Shaq Killa

[@okayyyy8028]

hes awesome

[@aroundtheworldzxd]

Great, Yao Ming.

[@wenfeiku]

Yao Legend!

[@esoj7775]

What a fucking legend ! Love yao man. Thanks for the memories !

[@belabear]

Yao holds the mic like a lollipop

[@c4binF3v3r]

Great honour. Well done.

[@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?

[@user-cx9cv9zr6e]

maxloo2 shut up and respect Chinese

[@buttface7849]

Yao was a fucking goat in 2k

[@tristanlee5612]

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

[@BurningDesu]

I'm glad they put Hakeem's jersey retire seen on camera

[@rasulmadaliday6687]

when he count the 321. my heart is just like breaking my heart into 11pcs. great yao.

[@boweirjoe3137]

can't believe 9years journey for Yaoming was amazing！he is one of the greatest player in the world

[@JHN87]

Great player.

[@brian7333]

I met a guy working in a local Home Depot store who was 6'10" once!!😲 He was fricken MASSIVE!!! What the Heck is 7'6 even like???? And is he considered the NBA's first high altitude trainer??? 😮😯

[@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 😂😂😂

[@Freedom-vo3zq]

It has been 14 years just like yesterday!

[@laksirigunasekera6878]

an amazing amazing player! love this dude

[@zhouchen3004]

my hero

[@masterkinglee]

Yao’s English is solid!!! Yao is a funny dude! I like him!

[@vincentbao7752]

Great Yao

[@torinboggsjr3742]

did anybody else hear someone boo the commissioner

[@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

[@cutritelandscapinglawncare874]

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

[@repsajann8199]

Yao is almost cry here but he hides it. It is his greatest achievement in NBA to be hall of fame and biggest Houston Rockets franchise next to Olajuwon and Drexler.

[@JustinDavis501]

I watched his highlights right after this

[@stevenyeah9541]

Great speech!

[@resurrekt4842]

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

[@colyheaven]

In the early 90s, Hakeem endorsed his money to allow kids in China to get access to good quality Spalding basketball shoes with the number 34 on the side of the shoes like the air more uptempo, at a fourth or fifth of the cost of Nikes and Adidas, great memories during those years having fun with the game of basketball. Still the top 3most comfortable shoes. Seeing his face made me smile so widely.

[@rayyao2607]

when I played basketball in HS he was my inspiration cuz I played center and i was the only Chinese player and my number was 11 too!

[@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

[@INoahGuy914]

I didn’t even know his number was retired . Shout to Yao !!

[@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.

[@mact7766]

bigger than life

[@kingturm]

LEGEND

[@skyeslaton3435]

Yao was such a great player sucks his career was cut short by injuries and that's a shame