© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Ray Allen earns college degree from UConn 30 years after setting foot on campus
Hall of Fame guard and former Milwaukee Bucks star Ray Allen made sure to tend to his unfinished business in Storrs, Connecticut. On Sunday, the 47-year-old added another feather to his cap as he received his degree in General Studies, completing a long journey that began in 1993 and restarted again in 2008 when he continued taking classes once again.
Never too late to learn
Allen said he was inspired to take on the journey of completing his college education by several resident assistants, who he saw were still finishing their respective degrees despite their relatively advanced age.
"When I was in school, there was a couple of RAs that were in their 30s, and I thought, 'Wow, they're still in school. It's never too late to learn,'" Allen said.
The two-time NBA champion also expressed his gratitude to the people who helped him attain his college degree.
"This day isn't about me, it's about the people that helped me along the way to finish this mission, be on this journey to graduate from college. And you got to do it by yourself, but it's made up of a lot of people around you, so I didn't want it to be about me walking in and everybody, you know. These kids are on their individual journeys, so I was so inspired to be sitting next to them and talking to them."
Full-circle
Allen began making a name for himself playing for the UConn Huskies from 1993 to 1996. During his time in Storrs, he established himself as one of the nation’s best wingmen, attaining numerous citations along the way. He finished his collegiate basketball career with stellar averages of 19.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game and had his jersey retired in 2019.
He was then selected fifth overall by the Bucks, playing seven seasons with the franchise and helping them reach the 2001 Eastern Conference finals, where they were vanquished by Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers.
