MANILA, Philippines – At age 38, Yao Ming graduates college after 7 years; tells us not to give up.
Yao Ming already achieved a lot in the world of basketball. Playing Center for the Houston Rockets, he had an impressive record of career average of 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.
But the NBA Hall of Famer had to retire at the age of 31 back in 2011 due to ankle and foot injuries. It may seem like it was the end but for Yao it was the beginning of a new journey.
The 7-foot-6 basketball superstar decided to enroll at Shanghai Jiaotong University (SJTU). For seven long years, Yao became an university student.
When Yao finally stood on stage for his commencement exercises speech, he shared all the struggles he had to go through and the motivation that kept him going.
Yao pursued earning a college degree because of a promise he made to his parents. He admitted that there were times when he thought of dropping out because he struggled with his subjects such as advanced mathematics class. The eager student persisted on.
During his speech Yao said, “Over time, I came to believe the process of learning is more important than the result.”
Yao offered an heartfelt advice to his peers. He said, “At a certain stage in the future, you should try to combine your future with the future of the society, because that’s how you can find larger space for yourself to explore.”
“Let me quote a famous conversation that happened on a basketball court 11 years ago, ‘This is going to be your league in a little while.’ Trust me, when a man spends seven years in university to graduate at age 38, he knows what he’s talking about,” Yao added.
Yao finished his degree in Economics from SJTU's Antai College of Economics and Management. He is currently busy with his own restaurant and winery. Yao is also a spokesperson of an English learning platform in which he is also a shareholder.
— Sally, The Summit Express
Yao Ming already achieved a lot in the world of basketball. Playing Center for the Houston Rockets, he had an impressive record of career average of 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.
 |
| Yao Ming speaks during his commencement exercises | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Yao Ming |
But the NBA Hall of Famer had to retire at the age of 31 back in 2011 due to ankle and foot injuries. It may seem like it was the end but for Yao it was the beginning of a new journey.
The 7-foot-6 basketball superstar decided to enroll at Shanghai Jiaotong University (SJTU). For seven long years, Yao became an university student.
When Yao finally stood on stage for his commencement exercises speech, he shared all the struggles he had to go through and the motivation that kept him going.
Yao pursued earning a college degree because of a promise he made to his parents. He admitted that there were times when he thought of dropping out because he struggled with his subjects such as advanced mathematics class. The eager student persisted on.
During his speech Yao said, “Over time, I came to believe the process of learning is more important than the result.”
 |
| Yao is now busy with several of his businesses | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Yao Ming |
Yao offered an heartfelt advice to his peers. He said, “At a certain stage in the future, you should try to combine your future with the future of the society, because that’s how you can find larger space for yourself to explore.”
“Let me quote a famous conversation that happened on a basketball court 11 years ago, ‘This is going to be your league in a little while.’ Trust me, when a man spends seven years in university to graduate at age 38, he knows what he’s talking about,” Yao added.
Yao finished his degree in Economics from SJTU's Antai College of Economics and Management. He is currently busy with his own restaurant and winery. Yao is also a spokesperson of an English learning platform in which he is also a shareholder.
— Sally, The Summit Express
