With the news that Yao Ming will miss the entire 2009-10 NBA season and Dikembe Mutombo officially retiring the other day, the Houston Rockets have brought in Aussie big man and Euroleague star David Andersen to help fill the hole they have at center.

“I’ve spoken with the coach and the general manager (Daryl Morey) and they’re all excited about me coming in and this is why the main deal was done,” Andersen said to Basketball Australia. “I should get something signed and sealed in the next few days.”

“David has been a winner with every team he has played for in Europe,” says Rockets GM Daryl Morey. “He is a very well-rounded player who possesses good offensive skills, a very good shooting touch for a big man and is a versatile post player who should fit well in (our) system.”

Before obtaining the rights for the 6-11 Andersen, the tallest player on Houston’s roster was Luis Scola at 6-9.  The Rockets acquired the rights to center David Andersen from the Atlanta Hawks for cash and future considerations.

The Hawks had signed the 29-year old Boomer last month.

Links and Resrouces: Is David Andersen moving to Atlanta? (Interbasket),  Mutombo chooses to retire in Beijing (CCTV), Yao foot operation opens up opportunity for Andersen (Herald Sun), Is Yao Ming’s season over before it began? (Interbasket)