9. Shaquille O’Neal
A four-time NBA champion, Shaquille O’Neal played 19 seasons before retiring in 2011. One year later, the basketball player got his doctorate in education and leadership from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida.
Graduating with a specialization in human resource development and a 3.81 GPA, the highly educated champion had previously also obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. And yes, he did all of that while playing in the NBA.
O’Neal confessed that he decided to return to school because he had promised his mom he would be an example for his fans. Yet, he adds that something else motivated him as well — proving to his business executives that he could hold his own in conversations, saying “whatever term they throw out, I’m familiar with it!”
