Yao Ming's No. 15 Jersey Retired in China

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, January 06, 2003

Yao Ming's No. 15 Jersey Retired in China

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For the first time in China, a jersey was retired to memorize the excellence of its former owner. And it was done specially for Yao Ming, the most adored basketball star in this most populous country.

A huge Shanghai Sharks No. 15 outfit, ten times the size of that Yao used to wear, were raising to the rafters of Luwan Stadium Sunday night amid rocking counting-down of the crowds.

A golden star is on the front of the jersey embodying the club's championship victory last season, when the talented center anchored the team to dominate the league.

In addition, the NBA rookie inked a 50-centimeter high signature on the three-meter long jersey as it was rushed to the United States right after finish.

Yao, who now plays for NBA's Houston Rockets, was absent at the historical moment but he shared his happiness with fans and his former teammates through live broadcast across the ocean.

"It is really significant to me," the 22-year-old Yao said, not trying to hide his excitement. "I am very grateful to all the fans for their support."

Upon arriving in the United States in October, the 7-5 player quickly turned the basketball kingdom into a Yao-crazy country in his unique way -- a touch of humor, a clever mind, a composed manner and most of all, the aura of 2002 NBA top draft pick with limitless possibilities behind it.

To round off his joyous 2002, Yao was named Rookie of the Month, averaging 17.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.73 blocks in recent 15 games.

If there is anything that Yao feels a pity for the whole thing, his family can no longer bear the number as his father Yao Zhiyuan played for the former Shanghai team also in No. 15 jersey.

"It is a pity that my son can not wear No. 15 in the future," said Yao Ming, who was nicknamed by his teammate Steve Francis 'Ming Dynasty'.

The beginning in NBA was difficult for Yao as the Chinese ace only managed two rebounds and one assist against Indiana Pacers in his NBA regular season debut.

The following three games turned out to be no better than the first one while Yao averaged 2.5 points and 4.2 baskets, which were a world from people's expectations.

Doubts emerged about that whether Yao could adapt himself to the most fierce basketball competition in ten games as he had said.

The dubitantes had their good reasons as Yao was the first NBA top pick without playing any college games in the States. Language barrier and culture gap also worked against him.

But no one had questioned his potential and the self-assured young man soon lifted himself to a new standard.

He grabbed 20 points and six rebounds against defending champions Los Angles Lakers on November 18 and then pulled off 30 points and 16 rebounds four days later against Dallas Mavericks. From then on, Yao has been on rise with steady double-double performance.

After his slow start, Yao is ranked second with .571 field-goal percentage, averaging 13.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in the season, which won him most votes in the All-Star balloting for center, leading Shaquille O'Neal by about 150,000.

Back at China, Yao made his fans prouder of him each day, which only left his former Sharks coach Li Qiuping very reminiscent.

"Yao is a player in a million," said Li at the ceremony, who suggested the retirement of the jersey. "Nobody in Sharks can replace him so I think it'd better let the No. 15 have a rest."

To give his words a solid backup, defending champions Sharks suffered a 101-130 loss against the Guangdong Hongyuan that night following the jersey-retiring ceremony, their defeat third in a run and fifth in nine games since the season started.

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