NBA star Yao Ming graduated from Shanghai Jiaotong University after seven years, fulfilling a long-held promise to his parents. Video shows the 38-year-old Yao Ming in a graduation gown making a speech at the university's graduation ceremony. Yao, who stands 7ft 6" tall, joined the Shanghai Sharks as a professional basketball player when he was 17. He moved to the NBA at the age of 21, playing for the Houston Rockets, and continued his basketball career until retiring in 2011. He started the degree shortly after retiring. Since Yao was busy with charity work, it took seven years for him to complete his degree in economics.