Hoopster Heads for Houston

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 ◆ Hoopster Heads for Houston

Native son Yao Ming, the top draft pick this year in the US National Basketball Association, left Shanghai yesterday to join the Houston Rockets. The 2.26-meter (7.4-feet) center cut a distinctive figure yesterday morning at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, where he made clear his affection for his hometown. "While people are paying more attention to Rockets games, I hope they will not forget the Shanghai Sharks," he said, referring to his former team. The 22-year-old made a whirlwind visit after concluding travel formalities in Beijing. Upon arriving in Shanghai on Saturday, he went to the Meilong Training Center to say goodbye to former teammates. He paid a nostalgic call on Gao'an Road No. 1 Primary School, where he had amazed teachers as a 1.5-meter (4.9-feet) 6-year-old. And Shanghai's tallest resident had a chat with Mayor Chen Liangyu. "We are very glad that you will play NBA," Chen told him. "We will continue to follow you and hope you will do a good job." As Yao waited in a visa line last week in Beijing, he said today would be the earliest he could leave. But the China Basketball Association came through on Friday with the crucial permission for him to travel to Houston. A release from the FIBA, the international basketball organization, is considered a formality. In June, the Rockets made Yao the first player from outside the United States to be the top draft pick. He signed a four-year, US$17.8 million contract, with an additional year's option. Once the team's physicians check him out, Yao will start training. He may play in a pre-season match on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs. The season starts a week from tomorrow. Yao missed two months' training by playing for China in the World Championships and the 14th Asian Games. Disappointingly, the team finished 12th of 16 teams in the championships and lost Busan gold to South Korea in overtime. Local sports commentators attributed Yao's low scores to poor support by teammates and questionable coaching decisions. "I'm late to the schedule (in the United States). I'm prepared for challenges at the start. I will catch up," he said on Saturday. He promised to "try my best to get used to the new culture, language, food, teammates and coach." His mother, Fang Fengdi, will stay with him in the United States for a year. She and Yao Ming's father, Yao Zhiyuan, were both famous centers in their time.