Fertitta: Rockets will retire No. 13 in honor of James Harden

Not long after James Harden was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month —and a day before Harden returns to Houston— Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta announced that the team will retire his No. 13. Fertitta did not announce when the retirement ceremony would take place. The Nets visit Houston once this season ... Wednesday night.

Although his departure was somewhat ugly, Fertitta in a statement praised Harden who spent eight and a half years in H-Town, the last three under Fertitta’s ownership.

“James Harden will always be a Rocket. Of course, we will retire his jersey. He made my first three years of owning this franchise unforgettable. The success he brought this franchise over eight years and the memories he created for our fan base/community (are) truly remarkable.”

In recent weeks, Harden has been active in relief efforts in the city, offering meals to Houston school districts and others in need.

The Rockets have retired the uniform numbers of Calvin Murphy (23,) Moses Malone (24,) Hakeem Olajuwon (34,) Rudy Tomjanovich (45,) Clyde Drexler (22,) and Yao Ming (11.)