Former NBA star Yao Ming (L) is awarded a retiring jersey of the Chinese men's national team as its lifetime member during an official ceremony to mark his retirement in Beijing, July 25, 2011. The Chinese character in the background reads, "retire". [Photo/titan24.com]

Yao Ming's agent has asked the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to set aside the former NBA All-Star center's nomination for another year.

Yao, who retired in July, was nominated by a member of the Chinese media as a contributor to the game, and would've been eligible for induction as early as 2012. But Hall of Fame president and CEO John Doleva said Yao's agent, John Huizinga, called yesterday to request that Yao's nomination be tabled for now.

Huizinga did not immediately return a phone message.

Doleva said Huizinga told him that Yao feels it's too soon for him to be placed on the ballot.

"He (Huizinga) indicated that Yao has great respect for the institution and equal respect for those elected before his consideration," Doleva said. "He just feels that it's too soon to be considered as a contributor."

An eight-time All-Star with the Houston Rockets, Yao's career was cut short by foot and leg injuries. Yao would be eligible to enter the Hall of Fame as a player in 2017 - five full seasons after his retirement.

He's more likely, though, to enter as a contributor after bridging the NBA to the Asian market. His charisma, popularity and basketball skills helped spike merchandise sales and prompted record TV ratings for games after the Rockets made him the top overall pick in the 2002 draft. NBA commissioner David Stern called Yao "a transformational player and a testament to the globalization of our game."