Who are some of the top basketball players that have earned a doctorate degree in education? Some of the names that come to mind are LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, and Jeremy Lin. However, if you aren’t familiar with these individuals, there are still ways to learn more about their achievements.
Shaquille O’Neal
There are many athletes who prioritize education, and NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal is one of them. Not only does he have a degree, he earned it through a doctoral program at Barry University.
When Shaq graduated, the school honored him with a graduation ceremony. His four children, along with his mother, were there to witness the event. He is also a lifelong student, and he has completed several distance education courses.
Shaquille O’Neal began his college career at Louisiana State University in 1989. He left college early to join the National Basketball Association. However, he returned to campus in 2000 to complete his studies. He eventually earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.
After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Shaq enrolled at the Adrian Dominican School of Education. While at this school, he took many online courses and correspondence classes.
In his final project, Shaquille O’Neal focused on the value of humor in the workplace. He studied the relationship between humor and leadership.
During his time at the school, he also participated in many presentations on the campus. On graduation day, O’Neal donned a custom-made bright red XXXL gown. He posed for photos with other graduates, and handed out high-fives to the attendees.
The ceremony was held at the James L. Knight Center in Miami. Several hundred students attended the event. They included O’Neal, as well as his mother, siblings, and manager Cynthia Atterberry.
It took him more than five years to earn his degree. Although he has never been accused of cheating, some haters allege that Shaq cheated to get the degree.
In the end, Shaquille O’Neal had a successful career, but it didn’t end there. He has a family and wants to instill the importance of education in his kids.
LeBron James
LeBron James is not only one of the greatest athletes of all time, he has also done more than his share to improve the lives of those around him. He has been involved in a wide range of charitable and education initiatives. As an example, he co-founded the I Promise School in Akron, OH. The school is a collaboration between LeBron’s family foundation and the Akron public school system.
This school aims to help at-risk youth, from kindergarten to eighth grade, succeed in their studies. It’s part of a larger effort by the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has a mission to promote healthy lifestyles and give back to the community.
One of the most important things the LeBron James Family Foundation does is to encourage kids to go to college. Specifically, the organization works with the Akron Public Schools, providing support programs to ensure kids get through school and graduate.
Another example of the LeBron James family’s charitable endeavors is its work with students at the University of Akron. The university is the home town of the athlete, so it makes sense that he’d be involved in a program to aid the local student body.
In addition to funding scholarships for the children of Akron, the LeBron James Family Foundation has also created an educational program titled XQ. This nonprofit combines the LeBron James Family Foundation’s efforts with those of other nonprofits to provide academic assistance and mentorship to children of all ages.
Ultimately, though, the most impressive accomplishments of the LeBron James family are the impact they have made in their home town. From promoting healthier lifestyles to giving back to the community, the James family has a true passion for making a positive impact.
Jeremy Lin
While Jeremy Lin is a basketball superstar, he is also an education guru. After graduating from Harvard, he earned a doctorate in education. He has spoken candidly about his identity, race, and faith.
During his time in the NBA, he helped the New York Knicks get back on track following a few shaky losses. In the process, he became a cultural icon and helped debunk Asian American stereotypes.
Jeremy Lin was a standout point guard for the Crimson. He led his team to the school’s first 21-win season.
During his senior year, he was named to the All-Ivy League First Team. He averaged 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.
Before the 2011-12 season, Jeremy Lin spent some time in the D-League. He then played in the CBA. His success prompted his NBA team, the Los Angeles Lakers, to give him a call.
Despite his talent, Jeremy Lin did not receive a scholarship to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Instead, he went to Harvard.
Unlike UCLA and other Division I programs, Harvard does not offer athletic scholarships. However, Lin was able to complete his high school education at Palo Alto High School.
Jeremy Lin has received many accolades, including the EPSY award for Breakthrough Athlete of the Year. This is the first time an Ivy League player has earned the honor.
While his time in the NBA was impressive, he has had to learn to deal with his fame. As a result, he has also spent some time studying history at New York University.
Currently, he plays for the Atlanta Hawks. He will also continue to study at the University of Washington.
Victor Oladipo
Victor Oladipo is a professional basketball player who plays for the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. He was born on May 4, 1992, in Silver Spring, Maryland. His parents are Christopher and Joan Amanze Oladipo. They are Nigerian immigrants.
At the age of 18, Victor attended Indiana University and earned a bachelor’s degree in sports communication. He was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star Reserve in 2018. In 2018, he was also named NBA Most Improved Player.
During his time at Indiana, he helped the Hoosiers win the first outright Big Ten title in 20 years. The team also qualified for the playoffs.
After completing his degree, Victor continued to play professionally. In his final semester, he took 19 credits to graduate.
While in high school, he was recruited to several colleges. Several D-I schools were interested in recruiting him. Xavier, Notre Dame, Charlotte, and other teams were also pursuing him. However, he turned down offers from other schools.
When he was a teenager, he played CYO basketball for St. Jerome Academy in Hyattsville, Maryland. As a senior, he averaged 3.6 blocks per game.
Although he was not very good at shooting, he was a great defender. For the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, he was a member of the team’s defense. His performances earned him the Adolph Rupp Trophy.
In his early years, Oladipo’s older sister, Kendra, was deaf. He grew up in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Now, she is a substitute teacher at Model Secondary School for the Deaf in Washington D.C.
The family moved to the United States in 1985. Chris and Joan had four children. They have since moved to suburban Washington, D.C. Their son, Christopher, has a Ph.D. in behavioral science.
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson is a former professional basketball player who has since turned into a successful businessman. A pioneer of entrepreneurship and a community leader, Johnson is the founder and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises. The company aims to improve urban communities by providing high-quality products and services.
One of the greatest gifts Johnson has given to his community is a scholarship. He has pledged to donate $2 million to the Grambling State University STEM education program. And it’s not just the money that’s important, he’s also committed to strengthening the university’s land-grant mission.
In the past few months, Johnson has made a number of other philanthropic commitments to his alma mater. For example, he’s made an endowed scholarship fund to support students in the School of Business.
Also, in a recent interview, Johnson stated that the best part of his philanthropy was not just the financial impact, but the “intangible” benefits he’s provided to South Carolina State University. Specifically, he said the partnership will “produce indelible impact” on the university’s legacy.
Throughout his life, Earvin “Magic” Johnson has consistently turned heads with his groundbreaking partnerships. From building Pepsi bottle plants to developing a glitzy new shopping mall in New Orleans, to purchasing 125 Starbucks stores in eight cities, to winning five NBA championships with the LA Lakers, he’s demonstrated a willingness to go big for a better tomorrow.
In the same spirit, Magic Johnson will make a major philanthropic investment at South Carolina State. At a special fundraising event, he will announce details of the scholarship.
The announcement comes during an unprecedented fundraising effort for the university, and follows a year of record-breaking giving by Johnson. To date, the former basketball star has donated $1 million to Central State University, and $2 million to advance the STEM education program at Grambling State University.
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