Ex-Houston Rockets Chinese star Yao lauds Jeremy Lin"""s NBA success

Boao (China), Apr.2 (ANI): Former Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has described Jeremy Lin's success in the NBA as "a bit out of my expectation," when asked to comment on the buzz surrounding the New York Knicks American-born player of Chinese heritage.

"Lin faces challenges as an NBA basketball player-he is not very tall, not very strong, and he was cut out by two clubs before finally joining the Knicks," The Sun quoted Yao, as telling reporters on the sidelines of a business forum held in south China's resort town of Boao.

"To be honest, I did not expect him to play so well. But in Lin's success I see hope about how descendants of Chinese immigrants to the States can become successful in mainstream society," Yao said.

Chinese like to compare Lin with Yao as the two are both world-class players of a game popular around the globe and they are extremely inspiring to young people. (ANI)