Thus, Steph Curry is officially a Bachelor (academically), even though he’s married with a family. His singularity is not in marital status, but rather in his elite talents, skills, and achievements.

Approximately one in five NBA players have college degrees. Many NBA players have children out of wedlock.

Curry’s commitment and follow-through in earning his Bachelor degree signifies an integrity and commitment rarely seen among celebrities and professional athletes. It’s very difficult for adults to return to school after a prolonged hiatus away from academics. Depending upon the individual, there are many reasons for this, including family and work obligations, fear of inadequacy or failure, and alienation from the youth oriented academic environment. Steph Curry is obviously a busy man. Yet, he made time to finish his degree. Wonderful! What is especially impressive is the example he sets for his children. Given the Curry genes, it’s conceivable that his kids will show great talent and perhaps carve careers in sports. Whether those apples fall close to the tree remains to be seen, but they have advantages in genes and environment. And Steph has increased their advantages by demonstrating his follow-through and respect for academics. His children can emulate him in a variety of ways: the wider his breadth of work, respect, and accomplishments, the more modeling and opportunities his children will have to develop their own identities and life paths. He sets an admirable example.

As a former university professor and a professional with several advanced degrees, I have great respect for academics, professional training, and education in the life of the mind. Nonetheless, it’s realistic in today’s world to appraise the value of a college education with revised cost-benefit analyses. Most college entrants need to consider carefully the increased exorbitant costs of college and weigh the anticipated potential benefits against their up-front requirements.

For star athletes who are offered multimillion dollar inducements to go pro, it’s usually a slam dunk to leave higher education and join the ranks of the rich, exciting, and famous. An important factor also is the career expectancy and trajectory of young athletes. They don’t have very many years to achieve their peaks before aging and decline curtails their competitive edge and eventually their salary leverage. Therefore, an exit from academia into the pros maximizes their potential while they are young. Returning to college is always an option after retirement (injury, aging, etc.)—or, is it, in actuality?

Curry’s academic completion efforts shine as an outstanding exception to the general pattern of star athletes leaving college and abandoning degrees.

In terms of mental and physical achievement, I’d like to highlight an area of relevance.

I remember something from long ago when I was in sixth grade in the Bronx. At that age, I was developing and emerging in strength, agility, and interest in sports, and I was pretty good at them. There was a teacher, Mrs. Perry, who lined us up one day in gym class to shoot free throws. She gave directions about taking turns and keeping score, and issued a further instruction to report standouts. She said, “If there’s any genius who makes five baskets in a row, I want that brought to my attention immediately.” Of course, I was very motivated; but what really caught my attention was her use of the word genius as applied to shooting baskets. At the time, this seemed ill-fitting and exposed her as someone who knew nothing about sports and its vernacular. Genius was a term for classrooms and nerds, those who excelled in academics.

In retrospect, perhaps Mrs. Perry’s use of the word genius was indeed apt. After all, doesn’t scoring baskets with consistency tap into something exceptional? Isn’t there an essential mental component to shooting with persistent accuracy? How about the coordination, agility, planning, practice, and execution of competitive play in the ever-shifting flow of a high-energy basketball game? Watching pro ball players run, jump, writhe, and display all sorts of hard-to-believe movements inspires and instills excitement about extraordinary and what sometimes seems to be superhuman performance! It can be described as poetry in motion!

For years, Curry has astounded fans and players with his astonishing agility and legendary performance. No wonder his play rivets the attention and acclaim of millions. Is that not genius?

His basketball genius and notoriety notwithstanding, Curry took the time to finish his college degree (during a championship season, no less), earning a Bachelor degree. Admirable, indeed, the man’s versatile brain!

Maybe at some future time, honorary doctorates will be awarded to athletes (as in the case of “Dr. J,” Julius Erving). Perhaps more athletes will accept the challenge of returning to school. What else might Curry get out of his completed undergraduate education? Who knows? Will we see a future Dr. Curry, honorary or earned? I wouldn’t put it past him.

The marvelous exploits of Curry and his peers do not intersect with my life except for the interest, vicarious excitement, and inspiration of seeing what exceptional talent and work can accomplish. For me, their achievements are entertainment, something to look forward to, a puerile fantasy attraction to “my team.” Yet, it does make a contribution to my life in an odd way. After a day of work and challenges, I eagerly look forward to watching the game, even at the expense of temporarily ignoring my wife, who wants to know about my day at the moment the score is tied with thirty-four seconds left in the fourth quarter.

That Curry is a man of integrity, humility, faith, and follow-through makes it all the more attractive to watch him compete. That family man is a Bachelor now, a singular star!

Thank you and congratulations, Stephen Curry, team, and entourage. Bravo!