The Chinese New Year is right around the corner and the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Houston Rockets are celebrating the holiday and honoring China by sporting special Lunar New Year uniforms.

"The Lunar New Year uniforms represent a great opportunity to honor our incredibly loyal and passionate fans throughout China," said Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander.

Like Us on Facebook

The Rockets certainly have a history with Chinese basketball fans. Houston was the first team to have a game broadcasted live in China back in 1994, and are more notable for drafting Yao Ming in 2002 who went on to become one of the most famous athletes in China.

"The Rockets have always enjoyed a very special bond with our fans across the region," Alexander added. "We are thrilled and humbled to establish the Lunar New Year uniforms as a way to honor the culture, heritage and historical and future connection we'll always enjoy with our Chinese fans."

The Rockets will showcase their Lunar New Year uniforms for three games debuting this Saturday, Feb. 21 against the Toronto Raptors.  The uniforms will also be worn on Feb. 23 against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Feb. 25 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The teams officially began selling the jerseys on Tuesday, Jan. 27, which are available to be purchased by consumers at the Rockets Team Shop.

China holds the NBA's largest international fan base, and the popularity isn't going unnoticed, as the NBA will be paying tribute with a Chinese New Year celebration of its own. The celebration will consist of an unprecedented 56 live games to be broadcast in China featuring 27-of-30 NBA teams beginning Feb. 19 through Mar. 4. 

TagsLunar New Year, international fan base