NEW YORK -- A Houston Rockets player has the top-selling
jersey sold in China.
Not that player, the other one.
Tracy McGrady tops the list of best-selling NBA player jerseys
in China, based on sales from retail locations across the country
as of November 2005, the league announced Monday. Philadelphia
76ers guard Allen Iverson is second and Houston center Yao Ming is
third.
Yao, a native of Shanghai, was the first pick in the 2002 draft
and one of the first Chinese players in the NBA. He also has played
for the Chinese national team.
McGrady gave a knowing smile when asked about the top sellers.
"I'll give you the top 3," he said Monday. "Probably myself,
Allen Iverson and Yao Ming."
When told he was first, he said: "I knew that already. I've got
a lot of love over there in China."
McGrady spent some time in China last August on a publicity tour
for adidas. His ranking above Yao surprised some of their
teammates.
"That's pretty impressive," Rockets forward Stromile Swift
said.