A file photo shows Yao Ming, the former NBA player who is elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

It's been officially announced that the former NBA eight-time All-Star Yao Ming has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Yao, 35, averaged 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots a game for the Houston Rockets during his NBA career.

In his NBA debut, Yao played 11 minutes off the bench in a season-opening 91-82 road loss to the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 30, 2002.

Yao announced his retirement at 30 years of age during a Shanghai news conference on July 20, 2011.

He retired from with a career total of 9,247 points, 920 blocked shots and 4,494 rebounds.

Since 1959, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has inducted 361 Coaches, Players, Referees, Contributors, and Teams.

As the highest honor in Basketball, entrance into the Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding contributions to the sport.