The NBA team of the Houston Rockets is set to honor China's basketball living legend Yao Ming by retiring his jersey this coming Feb. 3 during the halftime break in their upcoming game against the Chicago Bulls.

Previously, the team had announced that it would have the ceremony on Feb. 2, but due to some TV obligations, it had to be move. Yao's No. 11 is going up in the rafters of the indoor arena at the Toyota Center in downtown Houston, Texas.

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According to a report of The Score, the world-famous Chinese athlete said that he was highly honored, but it was happening "too soon."

In September, the eight-time NBA All-Star was inducted into the prestigious Basketball Hall of Fame alongside Allen Iverson and Shaquille O'Neal.

In Yao's speech, the 36-year-old native of Shanghai declared "I'm a Texan, and a Houston Rocket for life."

According to the official website of the NBA, the well-known 7-foot-6 Chinese center averaged 19 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 1.6 assists in over his eight colorful seasons with the Leslie Alexander-owned team. Yao dominated while he was on the court, but unfortunately, injuries cut his career short.

Yao will be the sixth player to have his number retired by the Rockets, joining Rudy Tomjanovich, Hakeem Olajuwon, Calvin Murphy, Moses Malone, and Clyde Drexler.

Yao began playing for the team of Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), winning a championship ring in his final year with the ball club. He was the 2002 NBA Draft first overall pick selected by the Houston Rockets and led the team to enter the playoffs in four occasions.

With a series of injuries, Yao announced his retirement from the competitive sport on July 2011. In his tenure with the Rockets, the Chinese basketball superstar ranked sixth among franchise leaders in total points and total rebounds, and second in total blocks.

TagsYao Ming, Shanghai Sharks, chinese basketball association, NBA, houston rockets