Retired NBA star Yao Ming, who spent almost a decade playing in H-town, was given a key to the city on Friday. The big man will also be taking part in the All-Star festivities as he will be one of the judges for the annual slam-dunk competition.

Yao who was taken first overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2002 NBA draft, was named a Goodwill Ambassador to the city by Mayor Annise Parker. With his new title, it means the Chinese giant will act as an representative to promote the city internationally.

Former NBA star Yao Ming was officially named Goodwill Ambassador of the U.S. city of Houston Friday by the city's mayor at a ceremony here.

Yao was especially honoured to receive the award, but the city's mayor was also happy to offer the tribute to the former NBA-All star.

Annise Parker, Houston Mayor, said, "I have officially offered just this one key to the city since I have been mayor. And I wanted the first to be to Yao Ming because he has already given so much to the city of Houston, he will continue to give to the city of Houston, and I know he would never disgrace the city of Houston."

Yao Ming said, "It's a special day for me and my family to have this award. And to be called an ambassador, I take this as a responsibility for the future to continue to work on and maintain this bridge between my two hometowns, Houston and Shanghai."