File photo of former NBA star Yao Ming (CNS Photo)
(ECNS) -- Former NBA star Yao Ming has revealed he might have worked as an archeologist if he hadn't had a career playing basketball while vowing to keep away from reality shows, which he thinks are stressful.
Yao, who was included in the basketball hall of fame, said on Jiangsu TV's My World My Voice that his childhood interests were archeology, history and astronomy, rather than basketball, because he was physically weak as a result of heart and lung problems.
"I played basketball just because I wanted to be a good boy and listen to my parents," he said.
He added that boring and hard basketball training from the age of nine gradually made him physically strong and also confident.
"I could have spent my time digging into the past at a mountain cave, completely unknown to the public. Basketball has changed me, and I believe it can change many other people too."
Since retiring, Yao said he has devoted one third of his time to charitable endeavors and philanthropy, especially the Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketball Season.
He said philanthropy is not just about donating money but more about involvement, sharing time, and support.
In July 2014, Yao participated in the second episode of popular TV show Dad, Where Are We Going? in which celebrity fathers and their children traipse around China.
But he said the experience was really exhausting and that he would stay away from reality TV in future.
Yao added that he's not prepared to always take on new challenges because people's energy and time are limited.
