Yao Ming presents a basketball jersey of honors to Wang Yanning during halftime of the fifth round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) game between Shanghai Sharks and Zhejiang Lions in Shanghai, Nov 30, 2011. [Photo/CFP]

Wang Yanning, a senior sports commentator at Shanghai TV, will retire from his seat as a basketball commentator after 15 years with the Shanghai Sharks.

"Mr Wang has witnessed the establishment and growth of the Shanghai Sharks. Over the past 15 years, he was always on our side despite the ups and downs," Yao said in the Oriental Morning Post. "I really appreciate what he has done for Shanghai basketball."

Wang was honored and amazed by the ceremony. "Some National Basketball Association (NBA) teams will arrange such a farewell ceremony for a retiring senior commentator who has followed the team for years. Yao is bringing the NBA tradition to China, but it's too much for me, and I was just doing what I should do."

The jersey has Chinese characters reading, "Shanghai Sharks, (for) Wang Yanning" and an image of a golden microphone.