Stephen Curry graduated from Davidson and joins the ranks of athletes who have returned to college.

Stephen Curry graduated from Davidson and joins the ranks of athletes who have returned to college.

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  • Stephen Curry graduated from Davidson and joins the ranks of athletes who have returned to college.

    Tory BarronESPN Editor

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      Tory Barron is an editor and writer based in Bristol. After playing lacrosse at UConn, Barron decided to take up writing about people who play sports.

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

Combine Curry's academic achievements with his title of the NBA's All-Time Scoring Leader, three NBA Championships, two NBA MVP Awards, and the status of the league's All-Time Three-Point Leader, and you have the foundation for a strong 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.

While the 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, a college graduate seven years after he left Florida State University to play for the NFL, is now a senior. Jameis Winston is a college graduate seven years after he left Florida State University for the NFL. New Orleans SaintsQB, Seminoles legend, walked on the stage along with his peers to receive a diploma for his Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. Winston shared his academic story in 2017 at Melrose Elementary, St. Petersburg, Florida. He told students, “I'm currently taking classes.” “I'm focused on graduating college. 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 a first round pick in the 2014 NFL draft. He is now committed to finishing school for a degree of communication.

Troy Polamalu

In 1999, Troy Polamalu, a well-known safety for the NFL began his studies at the University of Southern California. When he was about to finish his history degree, he was drafted. Pittsburgh Steelers2003. Polamalu, who was 30 years old, used the NFL lockout to achieve 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 the stage today not just because it was very important for me personally but because I want emphasize the importance education and that nothing should replace it.”

Marcus Stroman

May 2016, Toronto Blue JaysMarcus Stroman, right-hander was absent in the famous bench-clearing brawl among his team and The Texas RangersBecause he had to attend to a more urgent matter: Duke University graduation. Stroman completed his sociology degree work while recovering from an ACL injury. 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 obtain my degree. I also gained strength mentally and physically. He stated that I'm now in a great spot, and that a lot 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. That promise was kept by Jordan Bone and his mom on SportsCenter.

Cam Newton

Cam Newton made a promise that his mom Jackie would allow him to graduate from college. This was even before he started to lead the nation. Auburn TigersTo a national title in 2010. He was true to his word and won the Heisman trophy. Newton graduated in 2015 but didn't take to the stage. He wanted to keep the spotlight on the other graduates. The 2015 NFL MVP stated that he wanted to start his own day-care center and that his degree was crucial. “I believe sociology helped me to understand people and their attitudes. It has been a great field, and I hope that it will pay off in the long-term.”

Venus Williams

Venus Williams, tennis superstar and overachiever. Williams was awarded an associate degree at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in 2007. She earned a bachelor of business administration degree at Indiana University East in 2015. 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 left college in order to follow his NBA dream. Eight years later, the Big Aristotle received a bachelor's from LSU. Phil Jackson and the Los Angeles LakersO'Neal allowed to miss a match so that he could get 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. According to The New York Times, “My father used the saying that it wasn't too late to do what you want.” He said, “You don't know what you can do until you try.”

Michelle Kwan

Michelle Kwan, master in international relations, is here for you. 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 graduated in 2009 from the University of Denver, with a bachelor’s degree. The beloved Team USA icon went on to earn a master's degree 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. He was unable to win Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals 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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