Former NBA Champion Robert Horry Emulates Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal After Returning to Graduate From Alabama

Many college players entering the NBA never get to finish their degree. Very few actually play four years and graduate. But there are also players who went back to finish their degree, and former NBA champion Robert Horry became the latest to do it.

Horry played for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 1988 to 1992 before declaring for the 1992 NBA Draft. He was a two-time All-SEC player and also made the Defensive team once. Although he stayed for four seasons, Horry was unable to finish his degree. And now, almost three decades later, he has finally completed it.

The seven-time NBA champion had announced in March that he had rejoined and would be graduating in a couple of months. And now he has officially earned his bachelor’s degree. He is among 104 current and former athletes to graduate from Alabama this weekend. He also players like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal who also went back later to finish their degrees.

Looking back at the Robert Horry’s career with the Alabama Crimson Tide

Horry arrived in Alabama as an exciting prospect after playing for Andalusia High School. In his first season, he came off the bench predominantly, with just nine starts out of 31 games. The departure of Michael Ansley gave Horry an improved role, and since his sophomore year, he became one of the best players on the team.

He was an excellent two-way forward for the Crimson Tide. Along with providing security on the glass, Horry was also a constant threat from three. Although he wasn’t able to win an NCAA tournament at Alabama, they won the SEC tournament in three out of his four seasons. They narrowly missed out on two regular season titles, finishing second to Florida and Georgia.

How Robert Horry became Big Shot Bob

In a sport where only the star players get true recognition, Horry has become the most celebrated role player. His tally of seven rings is not by virtue of tagging along the best teams. He has contributed to multiple title runs especially with his clutch shots.

Horry hit two big shots in each of the Rockets’ titles. After being traded to the Lakers, he continued this habit, with critical shots throughout their three-peat run. The most memorable shot of Horry’s career could be his three-pointer buzzer-beater against the Kings in the 2002 Western Conference Finals.

He continued his clutch shot streak with his next team, the Spurs, and these exploits earned him the nickname, Big Shot Bob. While he may not be as talented as Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant, he can proudly say he ended his career with more rings than them.