Pursuing a career in basketball is a difficult path that doesn't guarantee success. More often than not, a lot of basketball prospects don't end up achieving their hoop dreams. As a result, this makes it all the more important for athletes to have a stable fallback, putting more premium on a great educational foundation that can help athletes navigate through life beyond the sport.
To make matters more interesting, some athletes not only completed their education, but a handful even earned academic merits. Here is a look at 10 NBA players who excelled in academics.
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Jeremy Lin
While Jeremy Lin shocked the world with Linsanity, he was also academically gifted. After all, he is a graduate of Harvard University, which is well-respected around the world thanks to its rigorous academic standards. Not only did Lin star for the Harvard Crimson, but he also successfully attained a bachelor's degree in economics with a respectable 3.1 GPA.
Dwight Powell
Another NBA player who attended a premiere university was Dwight Powell. The Dallas Mavericks big man is a proud graduate of Stanford University, a prestigious school that puts premium on academic excellence. Powell not only possessed an NBA-caliber talent, but he also excelled inside the classroom, earning a Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention selection. The Canadian stalwart also had a 3.23 GPA.
Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh was a superstar with the Toronto Raptors before winning two NBA titles with the Miami Heat. But while his Hall of Fame-worthy basketball career defined him, it's often overlooked that Bosh was also a bright-minded student in the classroom. Bosh was a part of the National Honors Society in high school and attended Georgia Tech to take up graphic design. Although he didn't finish college, the two-time NBA champion continues to encourage kids to take up coding.
Malcolm Brogdon
Juggling academics and basketball is already a tough act. However, Malcolm Brogdon not only graduated with two degrees. He earned a degree in history before finishing his Master's degree in public policy at the University of Virginia. The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year achieved a rare feat for basketball players. Brogdon's accolades include being a part of the ACC Honor Roll and UVA Athletic Honor Roll. Furthermore, the Indiana Pacers guard was also a recipient of the 2016 Ernest H. Ern Distinguished Student Award by the Virginia Alumni Association.
Emeka Okafor
Emeka Okafor was undoubtedly a talented basketball player, leading UConn to an NCAA championship before being crowned the 2005 NBA Rookie of the Year. The 6-foot-10 center was a nightmare in the paint but was also a serious student inside the classroom. Okafor finished his college studies one year ahead while maintaining a 3.74 GPA to earn a degree in finance. His academic excellence coupled with his performance on the court earned him the 2004 Big East Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown is currently one of the cornerstones for the Boston Celtics, having led the Celtics to their 18th championship banner, with Brown crowned as the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. But while Brown is one of the best forwards in the league today, he is also keen on learning different disciplines that go beyond the basketball court. The onetime NBA Finals MVP even taught himself Spanish and Arabic. Aside from having a 3.1 GPA in college, Brown also took part in a robotics class held in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Grayson Allen
Grayson Allen is easily one of the toughest guards in the NBA. In fact, Allen once led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage. The 6-foot-4 sharpshooter hit the mark in college, helping the Duke Blue Devils secure the NCAA title and graduated with a degree in psychology. Prior to joining Duke, Allen graduated out of Providence School with cum laude honors with an AP diploma. He also served as the Vice President for the student government.
Adonal Foyle
Adonal Foyle is regarded as a bust by many thanks to a disappointing NBA career after getting drafted eight overall at the 1997 NBA Draft. However, he was a stellar student-athlete at Colgate University. Apart from leading the NCAA in blocks, Foyle also earned a degree in history, graduating with magna cum laude honors.
Dean Tolson
Dean Tolson's journey to the NBA was a long one. Struggling with poverty, Tolson battled illiteracy by using basketball as his means of escape. Years later, the Seattle Supersonics draftee reached the NBA and played basketball overseas. However, he also decided to finish his studies at the University of Arkansas at 57 years old, graduating with magna cum laude honors.
Todd Fuller
Todd Fuller didn't exactly have an eventful NBA career, having stopovers with the Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, Miami Heat, and Charlotte Hornets. But while he didn't excel in the NBA, he was a remarkable student-athlete in NC State. The All-ACC selection was commended for graduating with summa cum laude honors in applied mathematics. He followed it up by earning his Master's degree in Analytics.
