Rookie Chinese center Yao Ming is set to start for the Western Conference at the 2003 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 9 in Atlanta after final balloting for the event was announced on Thursday.
Yao received nearly 250,000 votes more than Shaquille O'Neal in the final fan balloting totals released by the NBA, giving him a starting spot in the line-up.
"To have this opportunity makes me very happy," Yao said.
"I'm very honored and I hope that I can play well in the game."
Yao will become the first rookie to start in the All-Star game since Grant Hill in 1995 and he is just the 16th first-year professional in NBA history to be named a starter.
Joining him on the West team will be Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, the leading vote-getter, and Steve Francis of Houston, as the starting guards.
"The fans definitely showed us a lot of support," Francis said.
Tim Duncan of San Antonio and Kevin Garnett of Minnesota will start for the West at forward, with Garnett edging Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki by just 7,355 votes.
Despite missing 33 games due to a knee injury, Toronto Raptors forward Vince Carter received 1,300,895 votes and will start for the Eastern Conference.
Jermaine O'Neal of Indiana is the other starting forward, while Allen Iverson of Philadelphia and Tracy McGrady will start at guard and Ben Wallace of Detroit at center.
Iverson easily defeated Michael Jordan of the Washington Wizards by 73,000 votes for the East's second guard spot.
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