New York Knicks: Kyle O’Quinn Earns College Degree

New York Knicks big man Kyle O’Quinn has fulfilled a promise to his family to earn his college degree from Norfolk State University.

Over the course of his four-year college career, Kyle O’Quinn became the face of the Norfolk State Spartans men’s basketball program. He was named the 2012 MEAC Player of the Year and Lou Henson Award winner, and earned back-to-back MEAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Four years later, O’Quinn has finished what he started.

During his remarkable 2012 season, O’Quinn led Norfolk State to one of the most shocking upsets in NCAA Tournament history. He recorded 26 points and 14 rebounds as the Spartans upset the No. 2 seed Missouri Tigers, thus becoming just the fifth 15-seed to win a game in March Madness.

Four years removed from that incredible run, Ian Begley of ESPN New York reports that O’Quinn has done something else to make his parents proud: he’s earned his college degree.

"“It took me a little time,” O’Quinn says. “But just holding that promise to actually complete it, it feels good.”“I did a heavy load in the summer, obviously, and I’d take one or two classes during the year, but everything’s so mobile nowadays that it makes it a little easier,” said O’Quinn, who will receive a degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on education."

Congratulations are in order to the Knicks’ bruising big man.

The 26-year-old completed his college playing career in 2012, and was selected at No. 49 overall by the Orlando Magic in the NBA Draft. Having just completed his fourth season in the Association, O’Quinn finally found the time to make his family even more proud than they already were.

In a testament to how hard work and determination pays off, O’Quinn is now officially a college graduate with a degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on education.

Per Begley, O’Quinn recently gave back to Norfolk State by making a donation to help its basketball players attend summer classes. He hopes that the influx of money will make it easier for students to finish their courses in a four-year period while simultaneously balancing life as a potential professional athlete.

O’Quinn elaborated on the donation, stating that he doesn’t want to see student-athletes struggle to find balance in the way he did at Norfolk State.

"“The funding wasn’t there, so I kind of just stepped up and paid for it just so the kids could get an opportunity to get a jump-start or catch up or get ahead,” said O’Quinn, who was on track to graduate in four years but fell a bit behind while working out for NBA teams prior to the draft. “They won’t be in a situation I was where you’re trying to start your [NBA] career and finish school. It’s tough to leave and come back. Plus, it helps the program, just keeping the guys there, letting the guys get more acquainted with each other over the summer.”"

This is a wonderful deed on O’Quinn’s behalf.

O’Quinn and Bob Dandridge are the two players most commonly associated with Norfolk State and collegiate greatness. Dandridge went on to become a star in the NBA, and while O’Quinn has yet to reach that status, he does project to be a long-term asset to the Knicks’ vision.

Prior to the 2015-16 season, team president Phil Jackson signed O’Quinn to a four-year contract worth just over $16 million.

It was a wonderful moment for a player whose career has essentially come full circle. Born and raised in Queens, O’Quinn is a New Yorker who’s realizing his dream of playing for his hometown Knicks.

O’Quinn’s mother, Regina, will be in attendance as O’Quinn realizes their mutual dream of his earning a college degree.

"“They were worried at times because I was 18, but it was an opportunity that my parents never had,” O’Quinn said of Regina and his late father, Tommie. “It means a lot to my parents. It’s good to make them proud.”"

Proud they are.

Now that he’s earned his college degree, O’Quinn will look to earn a bigger role in the Knicks’ rotation in 2016-17. He was signed long-term for a reason, and we may see why this coming season.

Until then, O’Quinn has every reason to be proud of himself.

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Congratulations, Kyle O’Quinn. You’ve made your Knicks family proud, too.