Former Taiwanese basketball star James Mao has honoured his late pal, Taiwanese-Canadian actor Godfrey Gao, by naming his newborn son after him.

James and his stylist wife, Tiffany Lo, welcomed their baby boy on October 4, but only announced the news on Instagram yesterday (Oct 7). Sharing a sweet photo of the newborn clutching his finger, he wrote: “We are so excited and blessed to be able to share the birth of our son, Noah Godfrey Mao on 10/4/2020.”

And it’s not just his English name. The middle character of Noah’s Chinese name, Mao Yi Nuo, also pays tribute to Godfrey, whose Chinese name is Gao Yi Xiang.

In his post, James thanked Godfrey’s parents, Uncle Tina and Uncle Rick for allowing him and his wife to use G's name as [his son's] middle name.

To us, this is the most meaningful and honorable thing, he added.

Godfrey was supposed to be one of the groomsmen at James' wedding last November. However, the actor passed away two days before the big day after collapsing while shooting Chinese reality show Chase Me.

James also took the opportunity to thank all those who have helped and encouraged them in what had been a difficult pregnancy.

According to reports, Tiffany experienced bleeding due to low-lying placenta and had to be hospitalised in August. Though she gave birth to Noah a month before his due date, both mother and child are “healthy and safe”.

Photos: James Mao/Instagram