SHANGHAI - Yao Ming has refused the nomination given by "Basketball Hall of Fame" as the Outstanding Contributor through his agent, his agent said here on Friday.

Zhang Mingji, director of Yao's Team told reporters that Yao thinks it's too early to give him this honor.

After playing in NBA for nine seasons, Yao announced his retirement last July in his hometown Shanghai due to his injuries. Then many Chinese media suggest Yao be nominated into the 2012 "Basketball Hall of Fame" as the Outstanding Contributor.

According to the rules of Basketball Hall of Fame, athletes, coaches and judges need to wait for 5 years after retirement to get nominated into the Hall of Fame. Therefore, Yao can get the qualification till 2017. While if nominated as Outstanding Contributor, there's no limit in time.