Houston Rockets' Chinese star Yao Ming has hired the team's former strength and conditioning coach as his personal trainer.

Anthony Falsone resigned from the Rockets last month.

Falsone, who will travel with Yao Ming to China, said he hopes to help take the player to another level.

Yao averaged 18.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game during the regular season.

The Rockets lost to the Dallas Mavericks 4-3 in the best-of-seven first round of the playoffs.

(CRI June 6, 2005)