If you are a basketball fan, chances are you’ve heard of the famous NBA players who earned a doctorate degree in education. The list includes LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Jordan McLaughlin, and Victor Oladipo, just to name a few.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal, a superstar basketball player and actor, earned a doctorate in education from Barry University in Florida. O’Neal, a seven-foot-one NBA star and four-time champion, attended the May 5 graduation ceremony with more than a thousand other students.
O’Neal has been an advocate for education throughout his life. When he was drafted by the Orlando Magic, he vowed to finish his bachelor’s degree at Louisiana State University. He then left the university early to enter the NBA. After a couple years in the NBA, O’Neal returned to the university and graduated with a degree.
For his doctorate, Shaquille O’Neal studied leadership and organizational learning and was awarded a specialization in human resource development. His thesis was on the value of humor in leadership.
Despite earning millions of dollars through his basketball career, O’Neal never stopped studying. He completed many classes online or through video conferencing. He had several presentations on campus and also took correspondence courses to earn his degree.
Shaquille O’Neal has been a great example to other NBA players. O’Neal is a businessman and has invested in more than two dozen companies. In fact, he owns a partial stake in the Sacramento Kings. Although he has been retired from playing for the NBA, he has continued to invest in himself and his businesses.
O’Neal has also stated that he wants his kids to learn the importance of education. “I want my children to get two degrees before they start dipping into my money,” he said.
The 7-foot-one athlete and businessman recently discussed his desire to build a law firm. In the past, he has boasted of his educational qualifications. Currently, he has a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix and a doctorate from Barry University.
Jordan McLaughlin
Jordan McLaughlin is a point guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association. He was born in Pasadena, California, on April 9, 1996. His father, John P. McLaughlin, was a former college basketball player. In addition to playing for the Trojans, McLaughlin graduated with a master’s degree in communication management from the University of Southern California.
The Timberwolves’ point guard has been one of the league’s most reliable players. After only a few games, McLaughlin already is a starter. He hasn’t missed a single game since January. And he’s earned it.
McLaughlin has been named to the All-Rookie team. He is also a member of the All-Pac-12 Rookie Team, which is only one of a handful of athletes to earn that honor.
During his freshman season, he shot 38.2%. He also set school records in free throw percentage and scoring average. He was named a consensus top-75 recruit by several outlets. But he tore his labrum in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.
During his sophomore season, he shot 35.9%, which was only better than his shooting percentage in his senior year. Even though he missed the final eight games of the season, he still had a strong performance.
The Timberwolves’ point guard has earned his stripes in the postseason. He’s played more than 20 minutes in six games. That includes two playoff victories.
J-Mac is a fast, accurate player. He cuts through passing lanes, leads by example and manages his team’s offense well. He rarely makes a mistake.
When Jordan McLaughlin’s high school career ended, he chose to attend USC. Though he considered Kansas and Indiana, he ultimately decided to play for the Trojans.
LeBron James
LeBron James has gone beyond the basics with a degree that he is not even getting. He has also become an entrepreneur with a business that he started while he was still a high school student. During the course of his career, he has earned endorsement deals with major brands including McDonald’s, Nike, and Coca-Cola.
In addition to his endorsements, James has made a large investment in the community. His I Promise program provides free college tuition to students from Akron, Ohio. The program works with more than 1,000 kids. It is estimated that the first class eligible for scholarships will graduate in 2021.
Another big accomplishment was the creation of the COVID-19 pandemic, a game show that raised more than $6 million for charity. That is a lot of money to raise for a program that has only been around for a couple of years.
Aside from that, he has also become a social activist. He has worked with local entrepreneurs, and has reached out to kids who might not be able to finish their high school degrees. Among other things, he has helped kids complete their GED’s.
While it might be difficult for most people to imagine LeBron James ever having a doctorate, it is possible. The University of Akron has announced that the LeBron James Family Foundation has signed a partnership with them.
The program will pay for a student’s tuition and general service fee for the university. In return, the students get a guaranteed four-year scholarship.
In addition to his philanthropic efforts, LeBron James has also demonstrated dexterity and grace in adversity. He has shown that he can surf the pressure.
As LeBron says, “No one is perfect.” However, he has achieved a higher level of achievement than most athletes. This is a great example for students to follow.
Jeremy Lin
The NBA has been home to many athletes who have earned a doctorate in education. One of the most famous basketball players with a doctorate is Shaquille O’Neal. Another one is Jeremy Lin.
Jeremy Lin’s academic career has been very rewarding. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Harvard. In addition, he has also earned a doctorate in education.
While he was a high school student, Jeremy Lin earned an all-conference and all-state honor. During his junior year, he also became an All-Ivy League First Team member.
After graduating from Harvard, he had several Division-1 offers. These included the Los Angeles Lakers and the Mavericks. Although he had no scholarships, he wanted to go to a college for academic reasons. His grades were exceptional.
But, despite his incredible athletic abilities, Jeremy Lin faced a number of racial biases. As a Chinese American player, he often received strong shoves. Other players, such as Jason Terry, also slapped Jeremy Lin.
Despite these obstacles, he was never cut from a professional team. Instead, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Later, he also played for the Toronto Raptors and the Houston Rockets.
Besides his impressive athletic career, Jeremy Lin has done a great deal to debunk Asian American stereotypes. When he won the title with the New York Knicks in 2012, he was credited for “setting off a wave of ‘Linsanity’.”
The Knicks traded him to the Houston Rockets in 2011. Jeremy Lin had an incredibly successful first season with the Rockets. He averaged 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. Despite his success, he admits that the championship provided little satisfaction.
Several NBA teams have sought to sign Jeremy Lin. Eventually, he signed a four-year, $28.8 million contract with the Rockets.
Victor Oladipo
Victor Oladipo is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player. He is currently playing for the Miami Heat of the NBA. However, Oladipo’s career started much earlier, as he developed an interest in the game at an early age. In fact, he sparked his own dream of playing in the NBA when he was just five years old.
In addition to his playing skills, Victor Oladipo also earned a degree in sports communication broadcasting. This helped him become a public health executive for Prince George’s County, Maryland. During his time with the Indiana University Hoosiers, he earned first-team All-American status, while also making out to the Big Ten All-Defensive team twice.
After graduating from high school, Oladipo joined the Indiana University team. He was an important part of their record 32-4 season. His averaged 11.9 points and 10.3 rebounds in his senior year.
While at Indiana, Victor earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast sports communication. Despite his success in college, he continued to play professionally. The Orlando Magic selected him with the second pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Victor Oladipo has been in the NBA since 2013, but he is only just beginning to enjoy his success. Last season, the NBA recognized him for his efforts, giving him a spot on the All-Star Team for the first time. As a result, he was given the NBA Most Improved Player Award. Earlier this year, Oladipo became a fan favorite and was named the Dunk of the Year.
On June 27, the NBA will hold its annual draft. Several teams are interested in Victor Oladipo, including Charlotte, Notre Dame, and Xavier. Regardless of where he ends up, he has worked hard to achieve his dream.
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