Yao Ming spoke Monday (4 April) on being announced as member of 2016 Basketball Hall of Fame Class.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Yao Ming:

"First of all I'm very surprised of course, just like everyone else. And I'm very honored to be part of this list. I also know who is on this list - Shaquille O'Neal, AI (Allen Iverson) and other great guys from basketball history. That's why I feel really honored to be here."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Yao Ming, on former coach Jeff Van Gundy:

"It means a lot because you never heard that when he (Jeff Van Gundy) coached you. He was totally the opposite of that. Jeff is, I was fortunate to be coached by Jeff. He is a wonderful coach: mean, but disciplined. That's a great coach for a young man who's just joined the league."