Superstar Graduates: Athletes With College Degrees

Curtis Ganderson, Shaq and other stars hit the books.

Shaquille O’Neal  - Brains meet brawn in this roundup of all-star athletes who’ve earned college degrees. —Britt Middleton Just call him Dr. O’Neal! Former Los Angeles Lakers giant Shaquille added a doctorate degree in education from Barry University to his impressive résumé in May 2012 and told reporters recently that he’s setting his sights on law school. (Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)

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Shaquille O’Neal  - Brains meet brawn in this roundup of all-star athletes who’ve earned college degrees. —Britt Middleton Just call him Dr. O’Neal! Former Los Angeles Lakers giant Shaquille added a doctorate degree in education from Barry University to his impressive résumé in May 2012 and told reporters recently that he’s setting his sights on law school. (Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)

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Ben Roethlisberger - Ben Roethlisberger, who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to two Super Bowl championships, is also a May 2012 graduate. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Miami, choosing to take his classes at the school’s Ohio campus. He currently plays quarterback for the Steelers. (Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

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Ben Roethlisberger - Ben Roethlisberger, who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to two Super Bowl championships, is also a May 2012 graduate. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Miami, choosing to take his classes at the school’s Ohio campus. He currently plays quarterback for the Steelers. (Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Vince Carter - In 2001, Vince Carter was blasted by critics for choosing to attend his graduation ceremony at the University of North Carolina the same morning of the final playoff game between the Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers. The then-Raptors star chose to walk with his classmates and collected a bachelor’s degree in African-American studies. He currently plays ball with the Dallas Mavericks. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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Vince Carter - In 2001, Vince Carter was blasted by critics for choosing to attend his graduation ceremony at the University of North Carolina the same morning of the final playoff game between the Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers. The then-Raptors star chose to walk with his classmates and collected a bachelor’s degree in African-American studies. He currently plays ball with the Dallas Mavericks. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Tim Duncan - Tim Duncan, who currently plays for the San Antonio Spurs, has the brains to back up his brawn: in 1997 he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wake Forest University. (Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)

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Tim Duncan - Tim Duncan, who currently plays for the San Antonio Spurs, has the brains to back up his brawn: in 1997 he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wake Forest University. (Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)

Don Nelson - The legendary NBA coach and former player — best known as the winningest coach in NBA history — added college graduate to his extensive list of honors. In May 2012, at 71-years-old, he earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Iowa. Nelson played 14 seasons in the NBA in the 1960s and '70s and coached teams including the New York Knicks and the Dallas Mavericks before retiring in 2010. (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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Don Nelson - The legendary NBA coach and former player — best known as the winningest coach in NBA history — added college graduate to his extensive list of honors. In May 2012, at 71-years-old, he earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Iowa. Nelson played 14 seasons in the NBA in the 1960s and '70s and coached teams including the New York Knicks and the Dallas Mavericks before retiring in 2010. (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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Curtis Granderson - Given Curtis Granderson’s bachelor’s degree in business management and business marketing, which he earned from the University of Illinois in 2003, it’s easy to assume the New York Yankees center fielder has a plan in place for the day he decides to retire from the game. The baseball player is eyeing graduate school in the future. (Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

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Curtis Granderson - Given Curtis Granderson’s bachelor’s degree in business management and business marketing, which he earned from the University of Illinois in 2003, it’s easy to assume the New York Yankees center fielder has a plan in place for the day he decides to retire from the game. The baseball player is eyeing graduate school in the future. (Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

John Mayberry Jr. - Philadelphia Phillies outfielder John Mayberry Jr. is not only a second generation baseball star (his father is John Mayberry Sr. of Kansas City Royals fame), but his educational pedigree is just as impressive: John Jr. earned a bachelor’s in political science from Stanford University in 2005. (Photo: Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

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John Mayberry Jr. - Philadelphia Phillies outfielder John Mayberry Jr. is not only a second generation baseball star (his father is John Mayberry Sr. of Kansas City Royals fame), but his educational pedigree is just as impressive: John Jr. earned a bachelor’s in political science from Stanford University in 2005. (Photo: Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Ellis Hobbs - Former Philadelphia Eagles corner back Ellis Hobbs received a bachelor’s degree in art and design from Iowa State University, where he played college football, in 2009. In 2010, he suffered a severe neck injury in an Eagles matchup against the New York Giants that forced him to retire from the NFL the following year at 28-years-old. (Photo: Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

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Ellis Hobbs - Former Philadelphia Eagles corner back Ellis Hobbs received a bachelor’s degree in art and design from Iowa State University, where he played college football, in 2009. In 2010, he suffered a severe neck injury in an Eagles matchup against the New York Giants that forced him to retire from the NFL the following year at 28-years-old. (Photo: Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Darius Walker - NFL running back Darius Walker earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Notre Dame. He last played with the Houston Texans in 2008 and is currently a radio host for ESPN in Denver, Colorado. (Photo: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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Darius Walker - NFL running back Darius Walker earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Notre Dame. He last played with the Houston Texans in 2008 and is currently a radio host for ESPN in Denver, Colorado. (Photo: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Mike Hart - Former Indiana Colts running back Mike Hart earned his bachelor’s degree in general studies in 2009. He last played with the Colts in the 2010 season and is currently the running backs coach for Eastern Michigan University. (Photo: Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

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Mike Hart - Former Indiana Colts running back Mike Hart earned his bachelor’s degree in general studies in 2009. He last played with the Colts in the 2010 season and is currently the running backs coach for Eastern Michigan University. (Photo: Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Scott Boehm/Getty Images

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Usama Young - A power player as defensive back for the Cleveland Browns, Usama Young proved he was just as serious about his education. He graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in educational studies in 2009. (Photo: The Plain Dealer/Landov)

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Usama Young - A power player as defensive back for the Cleveland Browns, Usama Young proved he was just as serious about his education. He graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in educational studies in 2009. (Photo: The Plain Dealer/Landov)

Jacoby Jones - Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Lane College in 2009. (Photo: Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)

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Jacoby Jones - Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Lane College in 2009. (Photo: Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)

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Matt Forte - Matt Forte, who is currently a running back for the Chicago Bears, earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Tulane University in 2009. (Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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Matt Forte - Matt Forte, who is currently a running back for the Chicago Bears, earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Tulane University in 2009. (Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Terrence Rencher  - Terrance Rencher played one season for the Washington Bullets in 1995 before playing professionally for teams in Italy, Croatia, Germany, Greece and Israel. In 2008, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in community studies.  He is currently an assistant men's basketball coach at the University of Tulsa. (Photo: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Terrence Rencher  - Terrance Rencher played one season for the Washington Bullets in 1995 before playing professionally for teams in Italy, Croatia, Germany, Greece and Israel. In 2008, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in community studies.  He is currently an assistant men's basketball coach at the University of Tulsa. (Photo: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images)