Rockets center Yao Ming signed a five-year extension today in Beijing that should keep him with the Rockets through the 2010-11 season, sources familiar with the negotiations said.

Yao had said since last summer that he hoped to play his entire NBA career with the Rockets.

Keeping Yao, who is training with the Chinese National team, was considered probable because of his interest in staying and the Rockets' willingness to offer the maximum contract allowed.

The extension will guarantee Yao 25 percent of the upcoming salary caps. Using the current salary cap, that would be worth $80.9 million over five years. Next season, the last of his rookie contract, Yao will earn $5.594 million.