Stephen Curry, Davidson’s graduate, joins the ranks for athletes who return to college with college degrees

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      Tory Barron, a writer and editor based in Bristol for ESPN.com is Tory Barron. The DC native, who played lacrosse at UConn, decided to take up writing about people involved in sports.

Some things are worth the wait. After 13 seasons, the NBA is finally over. Stephen Curry earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in sociology from Davidson CollegeSunday

Take Curry’s academic accomplishment and his three NBA titles, two NBA MVP Awards, and status as the league’s all-time leader in three-point scoring, and you have the foundation of a solid LinkedIn profile.

According to Davidson’s Twitter accountCurry was just one semester away from earning his degree. He then enrolled for the spring semester with “two members the Davidson faculty,” a Stanford University professor, and a UC Santa Cruz Professor who taught Stephen while they were both at Davidson.

The following are some of the highlights. Golden State WarriorsStar couldn’t make it to the ceremony in person due to his team’s ongoing championship quest. However, Bob McKillop, his former coach and the Wildcats’ newest men’s basketball alumni made sure Curry was present with a thoughtful cardboard cutout.

The 34-year-old’s latest résumé booster got us thinking of other athletes who went to great lengths to earn their degrees at the college ranks:

Jameis Winston

Jameis Winston graduated from college seven years after he was released by Florida State University to join the NFL. The New Orleans SaintsQB and Seminoles legend was on stage to receive his diploma for his Bachelor of Science in Sociology degree. Winston shared his academic story in 2017 at Melrose Elementary, St. Petersburg, Florida. Winston told the students that he was taking classes right now. “I am focusing on getting my college degree. It’s a huge accomplishment. I need to get my mom that degree. How many of us are going to give your mama that degree?”

Aaron Donald

You might be wrong if you think Aaron Donald reached his peak when he received a Madden rating of 99. Before Donald was crowned Super Bowl champion, he had to earn a 99 rating in Madden. Los Angeles Rams superstar, three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time Pro Bowler added college graduate of the University of Pittsburgh to his stacked résumé in April 2020. Donald, who played his final season at Pitt in 2013, was drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. He is now committed to finishing school for a communication degree.

Troy Polamalu

In 1999, Troy Polamalu, a well-known safety for the NFL began his studies at the University of Southern California. He was only a few shorts from finishing his history degree when he got drafted by the NFL. Pittsburgh Steelers2003. Polamalu was 30 when he used the NFL lockout to accomplish a long-term goal. On his website, the eight-time Pro Bowler said that he decided to finish what he started in 2011. He added that “I decided that I would finish what I started and walked this stage today not just because it was very important to my personal life, but because education is so important and should never be overlooked.”

Marcus Stroman

In May 2016, Toronto Blue JaysMarcus Stroman, right-hander, was absent from the famous bench-clearing brawl that took place between his team members and the Texas RangersBecause he was occupied with a much more important matter: graduation from Duke University. Stroman completed the sociology coursework while he was recovering from an ACL tear. I never thought I would be able to say that I was grateful for my ACL tear, but I am now, because it has helped me grow as a person. I was able get my degree, and I became stronger physically and mentally through it all. He stated that I’m now in a great spot, and that a large part of it is due to the summer at Duke University.”

Jordan Bone

A surprise virtual graduation ceremony is the best way to celebrate Class of 2020. Where? Detroit PistonsJordan Bone, a guard, appeared on SportsCenter’s “Feel Good Friday” segment. It was in the pretense that he was getting recognition for his surprise Mother’s Day gift. The ex-Vols star completed his college degree secretly over the past year, and surprised his mother, Karen, by sharing the news on Mother’s Day. He ended up graduating on-air from the University of Tennessee.

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Jordan Bone, a Pistons guard, promised his mom that when he quit school early to become a pro basketball player, he would graduate. His mom was right there with him as he fulfilled that promise on SportsCenter.

Cam Newton

Cam Newton promised his mom Jackie that he would graduate college before he was allowed to take over the leadership of the organization. Auburn TigersTo a national title in 2010. He was true to his word and won the Heisman trophy. Newton graduated in 2015. He didn’t even walk across the stage. This was because he wanted to keep the attention on other graduates. The 2015 NFL MVP stated that he wanted to start his own day-care center and that the degree was crucial. “I believe sociology has helped me understand people and different attitudes. The study of people will hopefully pay dividends.”

Venus Williams

Venus Williams, tennis star. Williams was awarded an associate degree at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in 2007. In 2015, Williams also obtained a bachelor of business administration degree at Indiana University East. Williams completed her coursework online, and she was able to make a stop at the campus to pick her diploma before she left for the Western Southern Open.

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaq quit college to start his NBA career. Eight years later, the Big Aristotle received a bachelor’s from LSU. Phil Jackson and the Los Angeles LakersO’Neal was allowed to miss a football game in order to receive his diploma. University chancellor Mark A. Emmert said at the time, ″I’d like to thank Mr. O’Neal for dramatically increasing the starting salary of this graduating class.″⁣ Chancellor’s got jokes. Shaq received a doctorate of education from Barry University in 2012. Dr. O’Neal was also added to his list of nicknames.

Michael Jordan

The GOAT was a firm believer in education. Before he was drafted in 1984 by the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan studied at Chapel Hill. Jordan, despite his fame in the NBA, returned to UNC to complete his bachelor’s degree. He told The New York Times that his father used to tell him it was never too late to pursue any of his dreams. He said, “You don’t know what you can do until you try.”

Michelle Kwan

Michelle Kwan is a master of international relations. In fall 1999, Kwan, who was a two-time Olympic medalist as well as a five-time world champion, began her college classes at UCLA. After that she decided to pursue her figure skating career. Kwan received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver in international studies in 2009. In 2011, the beloved Team USA icon earned a master’s in international relations at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Vince Carter

Vince Carter’s May 20th 2001 was both a happy and a tragic day. Carter made a promise and received his University of North Carolina diploma. It ended in him missing out on the chance to win Game 7 of Eastern Conference semifinals in Philadelphia. The Eastern Conference semifinals in Philadelphia were a resounding success. 76ersEliminated his Toronto Raptors, fans were quick to question (read: criticize relentlessly) Vinsanity’s decision.


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