Retiring a number is the highest honor a franchise can give, a way of saying that one player's contribution was so profound it can never be worn again. These are the legends the Houston Rockets have chosen to honor forever from the rafters of their arena.
#34 - Hakeem Olajuwon (retired November 9 2002) (Hall of Fame)
Hakeem Olajuwon was simply the greatest player in Houston Rockets history, a towering center whose footwork, shot-blocking, and unstoppable post moves made him one of the most complete players the NBA has ever seen. He led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA Championships in 1994 and 1995, cementing his legacy as the heartbeat of a city and a franchise. Number 34 belonged to The Dream, and no one will ever wear it again.
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The Complete List of Houston Rockets Retired Numbers
Every number the Houston Rockets have officially retired, in order, with career totals and Hall of Famers marked.
| Number | Player | Retired | Career Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| #11 | Yao Ming | 2017 | — |
| #22 | Clyde Drexler (Hall of Fame) | 2000 | — |
| #23 | Calvin Murphy (Hall of Fame) | 1984 | — |
| #24 | Moses Malone (Hall of Fame) | 1998 | — |
| #34 | Hakeem Olajuwon (Hall of Fame) | 2002 | — |
| #44 | Elvin Hayes (Hall of Fame) | 2022 | — |
| #45 | Rudy Tomjanovich | 1982 | — |
Browse all Houston Rockets plaques →
Each plaque includes genuine licensed trading cards. The exact card may vary slightly from the one pictured; you'll always get a genuine licensed card of this player.