2002-2003NBA選秀狀元姚明，在結束釜山亞運後，與中國大陸官方簽署忠貞協議書，保證未來代表中國大陸參加各項國際比賽後，終於獲得同意加盟火箭隊。

迫不及待想親身體會NBA魅力的姚明，21日抵達美國休士頓，受到當地盛大歡迎，給予姚明最熱情、實際的支持。(2002/10/22 JO)

Yao Ming, the Houston Rockets number one overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft, talks with the press after a team practice at Westside Tennis Club in Houston, Texas 21 October 2002. Ming arrived in Houston 20 October and was greeted by a sea of supporters eager to catch their first glimpse at the newest member of the National Basketball Association Rockets. The arrival of the 2.26m (7 ft 5in) player was described by the team website as 'rock star-like,' and he was presented with a Rockets jersey prior Houston's preseason game against Orlando. AFP PHOTO

上圖左 ：火箭隊由後衛法蘭西斯(左)和馬布利(右)在賽前介紹2002-2003NBA新秀狀元姚明出場。
Yao Ming (C), the Houston Rockets overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft, accepts a jersey from Rockets teammates Steve Francis (L) and Cuttino Mobley at the Compaq Center, Texas 20 October, 2002, before a pre-season game. In June, the Rockets made Yao, 22, the first player from outside the United States selected with the top pick in the NBA Draft. AFP PHOTO

上圖右：狀元郎姚明和所有隊友打完招呼，坐在板凳席上觀賞球賽，終場火箭隊以101-96擊敗魔術隊。
Yao Ming (R), the Houston Rockets overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft, settles in at the Rockets bench with teammates at the Compaq Center in Houston, Texas 20 October, 2002, during a pre-season game. In June, the Rockets made Yao, 22, the first player from outside the United States selected with the top pick in the NBA Draft. AFP PHOTO