HOUSTON - Yao Ming is returning to the Houston Rockets - a giant selling point for general manager Daryl Morey as he begins courting big-name free agents this week.

The 7-foot-6 All-Star center said on Tuesday he has picked up his player option for next season, the last year of his five-year contract. Yao sat out last season following reconstructive foot surgery and said he wanted to see how the injury healed before making his decision.

Yao said he's resumed basketball activities and should be 100 percent when training camp begins.