Houston Mayor Gets Support for Yao Ming from Chinese - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

The mayor of Shanghai, Chen Liangyu, will recommend that 7' 5" Chinese center Yao Ming play in the NBA. That's what Houston Mayor Lee Brown told Houston television station KRIV on Wednesday. Brown, speaking from Hangzhou, China, says the Shanghai mayor said he would advise the family that it probably would be good for Yao to go to the NBA.

The Rockets won the NBA lottery and will make the first pick in the June 26th NBA Draft. The Rockets, who need rebounding help, could make Yao the top pick if they can reach agreement with the Chinese government on his availability.