Yao Ming shined brilliantly in the 2002 NBA draft and was selected as the first draft pick by the Houston Rockets. The Rockets' star center Hakeem olajuwon just left the team a year ago. They believe that Yao fills this gap. Because of the misunderstanding between Wang and the national team, he was expelled from the national team. According to the CBA contract, Yao Ming must return to China to represent the national team. At the same time, they said that unless the Houston Rockets are willing to choose Yao Ming in the first draft, he will not be allowed to play in the United States (these negotiation conditions are all derived from Wang's unsuccessful NBA experience). )。 CBA approved Yao Ming to play in the United States on the morning of draft day after Yao promised that the Rockets would use their No.1 pick Yao Ming. When the Rockets first selected Yao Ming, he became the first international player with no experience in American college basketball, but he was chosen as the No.1 pick.
In the 2002 playoffs, Yao Ming led the Chinese national basketball team to participate in the World Basketball Championship (FIBA) held in Indianapolis, USA, so he missed the pre-season training of the Rockets. After the game, Yao Ming exchanged technology with NBA stars Manu Ginóbili, dirk nowitzki and peja stojakovic.