Rockets' Brown apologizes for writing on Great Wall of China

Houston Rockets guard Bobby Brown has apologized for writing his name on the Great Wall of China in chalk and posting an image of it online.

He uploaded a photo of his signature on the landmark on the Chinese social media outlet Weibo with the caption: "Had a blast at the Great Wall of China today."

The negative response toward Brown seemingly defiling the Wall was overwhelming, subsequently forcing him to own up to his actions and apologize.

"We were out enjoying the Great Wall," Brown said in a statement released by the Rockets on Wednesday. "I never (had) been, it was my first time. I wrote my name on the wall in chalk. I saw different writings - I didn't mean any harm by it. I made a mistake. I could have just put my hand over it and erased it. It will never happen again.

"I've been playing in China for three years now and I have the utmost respect for the Chinese culture, and the way of living here. I pretty much adapted, coming from the States, here for three years. My teammates, the fans in Shenzhen and the fans all over were great to me, and I just want to sincerely apologize for that."

The Rockets players visited the Wall during a sightseeing trip while in the country for the NBA's Global Game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, which they won 116-104.

The 32-year-old is competing for a roster spot before the 2016-17 regular season gets underway. It's been six years since he last played for an NBA team, suiting up for 45 games with both the New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers in 2010.