Yao Ming enters Basketball Hall of Fame

Former Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, according to ESPN's Calvin Watkins and multiple reports.

The 7-foot-6 Yao, whose career started in Shanghai in the Chinese Basketball Association, was the first pick in the 2002 draft and is given much of the credit for bringing the NBA to China.

Yao, 35, was an eight-time NBA All-Star selection, averaging 19 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in eight seasons.