Houston Rocket's giant center Yao Ming was named the National Basketball Association's player of the week on Monday.

The Chinese Yao averaged 27.8 points, 10.5 rebounds to garner the Western Conference award while new Boston Celtic forward Kevin Garnett won the Eastern Division award.

Yao also averaged 2.8 blocks per game, leading Houston to wins over Charlotte, Milwaukee and San Antonio.

Garnett claimed the Eastern Conference award after averaging 22.7 points, 15.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists during three consecutive Celtic wins.

The Celtics (5-0) are now the NBA's only undefeated team.

Garnett had a double-double in each game as the Celtics defeated Denver, Atlanta and New Jersey.

(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2007)