HOUSTON (AP) — Yao Ming’s agent has asked the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to set aside Yao’s nomination for a year.
Yao retired in July and was nominated by a member of the Chinese media as a contributor to the game, and would’ve been eligible for induction as early as 2012. But Hall of Fame president and CEO John Doleva says Yao’s agent called on Wednesday to request that Yao not be considered next year.
The agent, John Huizinga, did not immediately return a phone message.
Doleva says Huizinga told him that Yao feels it’s too soon for him to be placed on the ballot. An eight-time NBA All-Star whose career was derailed by injuries, he would be eligible to enter as a player in 2017.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.