Tim Duncan hasn’t always been fond of adapting to the trend. Just look at how he used to dress up prior to games back in his NBA career. But even way back in college, Duncan wasn’t always quite a follower of what’s in the fashion. While most No. 1 prospects like him would forego using any remaining years of eligibility in the amateur ranks and elect to enter the draft right away, Duncan opted to stay and play out his senior year for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in 1996. He was still taken first overall in the 1997 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs.
Just like Duncan, Peyton Manning was viewed as a top-pick NFL caliber talent in 1997, but after hearing advice from Duncan decided to wait for another year and polish his game more as a senior for the Tennessee Volunteers. This is according to Manning himself, who was recently interviewed by Peter King of Sports Illustrated.
Tim Duncan influenced Manning’s decision to return for his senior year at Tennessee, instead of heading to the NFL. “I saw Tim Duncan at a college basketball game that year and he had stayed for his senior year, which was kind of against the norm, and he just said, ‘Hey I wanted to be a senior, I wanted one more year to get ready.’ So that kind of let me know it was okay if I wanted to stay.”
And again similar to what happened to Duncan, Manning heard his name called first in the 1998 NFL Draft with the Indianapolis Colts taking him.
Both players would go on to enjoy very successful professional careers. Tim Duncan won two NBA MVPs and five NBA titles for the Spurs. Conversely, Peyton Manning won two Super Bowl rings and five league MVPs trophies.
It’s still a good advice to take, kids: Stay in school.
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