Duke basketball legend proud to finally earn college degree

A Duke basketball champ has successfully checked off yet another life goal.

Carlos Boozer fulfilled one dream as a college sophomore by helping the 2000-01 Duke basketball team capture the NCAA Tournament crown, marking the third of now-five national title banners hanging from the Cameron Indoor Stadium rafters.

Then after a prolific junior campaign that ended with Duke’s loss to Indiana in the Sweet 16, the 6-foot-9, 260-pound Alaska native realized another dream by playing professionally. Despite falling to the second round at the 2002 NBA Draft, Boozer spent 13 seasons in the league, including two All-Star campaigns, averaging 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds for his career.

Not too shabby.

Now, following two sessions of summer school to complete three classes, Boozer holds in his hand another mega feat: a Duke degree. Apparently, the feeling of accomplishment was so great that the 38-year-old couldn’t help but to repeatedly mash the shift key when typing his Instagram announcement on Tuesday:

“After 19 Years And 2 Amazing Summer School Sessions This Summer, I’M FINALLY A DUKE GRADUATE!!!! Shout Out To My Family, Friends, Teammates, Classmates & Professors!!! … Thank You Guys For Riding With Me Along My Academic Journey!!! Stay Tuned … Got More To Do…”

The official Duke basketball Twitter account then proudly recognized Boozer by tweeting a pic of his Bachelor of Arts degree along with a list of achievements he’ll surely tell his grandkids about someday: 2001 national champ, All-American, NBA All-Star, and Duke grad.

Another Boozer in Duke basketball’s future?

Nowadays, after a brief stint in the BIG3 league to wrap up his playing days, Carlos Boozer is a studio basketball analyst for the ACC Network. And one of his three kids, an eighth-grader named Cameron Boozer, sure does seem to boast a fitting name and dad-like game that point to another possible Blue Devil career and Duke degree from a Boozer down the road.

Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more news and views regarding all things Duke basketball.