Yao Ming reportedly earns a spot in the Hall of Fame

According to The Vertical, career Houston Rocket Yao Ming will reportedly be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2016.

And, if league sources told The Vertical, it must be true.

Ming was selected by the newly formed Direct Elect International Committee. The formal announcement is expected to come at the NCAA Final Four in Houston.

How adorable is that?

Ming was selected by the Houston Rockets as the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft. He’s an eight time NBA All-Star.

Ming has the second most blocks in Rockets franchise history (920) behind Hakeem Olajuwon (3,740). Ming retired with career averages of 19.0 points and 9.2 rebounds but his career was plagued with injuries.

Off the court, he’s been involved with animal conservation efforts.

Ming’s largely credited for the NBA's popularity growth in China. Along, with Steve Nash, he was international basketball. While Ming greatly contributed to the Rockets, he made an even bigger contribution to the sport itself.

Special thanks to the Chinese government for this one.