Trent Tucker discusses importance of education

May 7, 2012 in Professional

By Patrick Hayes

Trent Tucker, a Flint Northwestern and University of Minnesota great who also happens to have a NBA rule unofficially named after him, has become a major education advocate since he retired and runs the very active All4Kids Foundation. Tucker recently wrote a guest column for The Huffington Post about the importance of having more than just sports as a talent:

As much as I would love to tell kids to play sports to escape the lives they may feel predestined to live, it is education that is truly important. I went back to school after 20 years and I received my bachelor’s degree at the age of 46. Through education stems opportunities, and with that knowledge it does not matter where you came from — just where you end up. My goal is for these children to be excited about their education, and have the confidence to pursue it. I want them to know that their opportunities are unlimited as long as they work hard and make good decisions for themselves.

Desmond Ferguson echoed similar sentiments in a story I posted last week. Ferguson and Tucker are both good examples of men who had successful professional basketball careers that lasted roughly a decade for each. But by the time both were done playing, they were only in their 30s and still had their entire lives ahead of them. Both planned accordingly beforehand for life after basketball.

Which MI NBA player has the best shot at a title this year?
Video: Colorado-bound Chris Jenkins of UD-Jesuit