Yao Ming is one of seven Houston Rockets players to get their jersey retired by the team.
The lineage of the Rockets traces back to 1967 and the city of San Diego, where the team spent its first four seasons. In its nearly 60 years of existence, the team has boasted a host of luminaries, including multiple Hall of Famers. Here’s a closer look at the Rockets’ star-laden list of retired numbers.
(11) Yao Ming — 2002-11
Although his career was shortened by injuries, Yao contributed to Houston in a big way during his prime years. Yao was already a star in China when he was selected by the Rockets with the first overall pick in 2002. He made a quick impact stateside and went on to become a stellar scorer, rebounder and shot blocker, ultimately earning All-Star honors on eight occasions, as well as two All-NBA Second Team and three All-NBA Third Team nods. Yao’s best statistical season was in 2006-07 where he averaged 25 points and nine rebounds.
(22) Clyde Drexler — 1995-98
Drexler rounded his career out with three-plus seasons in Houston. Drexler averaged 19 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.9 steals per contest during his 219 regular-season games with the Rockets, and he was also a key contributor during his 51 postseason appearances with Houston.
(23) Calvin Murphy — 1970-83
Murphy was a starter for the then San Diego Rockets, and he garnered recognition for his scoring, facilitating and defensive abilities. Murphy finished his distinguished career with a line of 17.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals per contest across 1,002 career regular-season games, and he averaged 18.5 points over 51 career postseason contests as well.
(24) Moses Malone — 1976-82
Malone made his mark with multiple teams during his lengthy Hall of Fame career. In the 1978-79 season, Malone averaged 24.8 points and a career-high 17.6 rebounds per game. Malone had two of his three MVP seasons with the Rockets. Malone finished his Rockets tenure with averages of 24 points, 15 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 blocks per contest across 464 regular-season games.
(34) Hakeem Olajuwon — 1984-2001
Olajuwon was an instant star at the NBA level. He went on to secure two NBA titles, two NBA Finals MVPs and one league MVP, as well as 12 All-Star nods. Olajuwon finished his extended Houston career with averages of 22.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 3.2 blocks and 1.8 steals across 1,177 regular-season games.
(44) Elvin Hayes — 1968-72, 1981-84
Hayes was the first overall pick in 1968 and started every game during his initial four-season Rockets stint. Upon returning for the 1981-82 season, he remained a productive player, averaging 16.1 points and 5.9 rebounds that season. Hayes finished his seven total Rockets seasons with averages of 20.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists across 572 games.
(45) Rudy Tomjanovich — 1970-81 (player), 1983-2002 (coach)
Tomjanovich’s multifaceted Rockets legacy included five All-Star nods as a player and two NBA championships as a coach. Tomjanovich was a career-long Rocket and finished with averages of 17.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 768 regular-season games.
Carroll Dawson — 1980-1996 (assistant coach), 1996-2007 (general manager), 2007-24 (consultant)
Dawson forged an accomplished 27-year career on the bench and behind the scenes with the Rockets. Dawson was a key coaching figure for Houston’s pair of mid-90s championship squads before moving to the front office. Notably, he selected Yao with the top pick in 2002 and formulated a trade for scoring champion Tracy McGrady in 2004.
