SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – Friday night was a big night for Houston basketball fans. Two professional players, Yao Ming and Sheryl Swoopes, were enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Hall called former Houston Rocket Ming an international ambassador. He said Houston is his second home.
"You stood with me in the good and bad times. You give me strength to move forward. I will always consider you my family. I am a Texan and Houston Rocket for life," Ming said.
Ming joined Allen Iverson and Shaquille O'Neal in entering the Hall.
Former Houston Comet Swoopes was honored as part of the first WNBA dynasty.
"So to every little boy and girl out there who may be watching, it doesn't matter where you come from, as long as you work hard, believe and never give up. Dreams do come true," Swoopes said.
Fans gathered outside the Symphony Hall in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. They were hoping for an autograph, selfie or just a moment with the honorees.
One fan came from Houston, about 1,500 miles away.
"This is big! Such an honor for Yao Ming to get inducted," Billy Jiao said. "And for me to be here. It's amazing."
The Class of 2016 inductees includes ABA superstar Zelmo Beaty, 27-year NBA referee Darell Garretson, 11-time NBA All-Star Allen Iverson, two-time NABC Coach of the Year Tom Izzo, the first African-American coach in a professional league John McLendon, three-time NBA Finals MVP Shaquille O’Neal, Early African American Pioneer Cumberland Posey, iconic Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, four-time WNBA Champion Sheryl Swoopes and global ambassador of the game Yao Ming.