From Court to Cap and Gown: How Rajon Rondo Finally Conquered His University of Kentucky Degree After Years of NBA Stardom

It’s not every day you see a pro athlete circle back to the classroom two decades later — but that’s exactly what Rajon Rondo just did. After making a name for himself on the hardwood and collecting a couple of NBA titles, Rondo quietly checked off a milestone that’s just as impressive: officially graduating from the University of Kentucky with a BA in Communications. Yeah, twenty years after his Kentucky days and after wrapping up a stellar NBA career, he finally got that piece of paper in hand. And he’s not alone — he’s part of a handful of former Wildcats who returned to finish their degrees once their playing days were behind them. It’s the kind of story that reminds you there’s more than one way to win. LEARN MORE

Rajon Rondo is officially a Kentucky graduate — 20 years after playing there. On Friday, the retired guard and former Wildcat received his diploma after completing his undergraduate degree, earning a BA in Communications.Advertisement

Kentucky’s graduation will take place throughout the weekend, with additional commencement ceremonies taking place on Saturday.Advertisement

Rondo played for Kentucky from 2004-2006, before declaring for the NBA draft and forgoing his remaining eligibility. The guard started his career with the Boston Celtics and spent eight seasons there before bouncing between a number of teams, earning two championships — 2008 with the Celtics, and 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers — in the meantime.Rondo played his last season in the NBA in 2022, and officially retired from the sport in 2024.