In recent years, Kenny Donaldson gently reminded some of UCLA’s former basketball stars that he could help them return to school to finish their degrees. As UCLA’s athletics assistant director of academic services, Donaldson hoped that any former Bruins who had left school early to play in the NBA would eventually find their way back to campus and work toward graduating.
Thanks, in part, to the NBA lockout, Donaldson’s had a handful of players take him up on his offer this summer. UCLA’s American Popular Culture class now has four out-of-work NBA players – Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, New Orleans Hornets forward Trevor Ariza and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Baron Davis – among its students. In addition, Milwaukee Bucks forward Luc Mbah a Moute is taking two classes this summer. Having begun their professional careers, all of the players are paying for their tuition and books.http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-spears_nba_players_ucla_080911
University of Conneticut star guard Kemba Walker didn’t surprise anyone when he announced that he would forgo his senior year with the Huskies and enter into the 2011 NBA draft. He did, however, shock people when he admitted that just weeks ago -- at age 20 -- he finished reading a book for the first time ever.
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Walker says he went through high school and college without reading an entire book cover-to-cover. What’s even more surprising is the fact that Walker is actually graduating with a degree from UConn a year early.LINK:The RootLINK:Sports Illustrated
