File photo of Chinese basketball player Zhou Qi. [Photo/VCG]

The details of the deal is not unveiled but Zhou will sign a four-year contract, according to a person with knowledge of the deal on Sunday.

Zhou was selected No 43 overall in the 2016 draft by the Rockets but decided to remain in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) for a year. He will come to the Rockets 15 years after the franchise drafted Chinese legend Yao Ming with the No 1 overall pick.

Zhou, 21, led the Xinjiang Flying Tigers to the CBA title last season. He averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game and was honored as the CBA Defensive Player of the Year.