Rajon Rondo Graduates From Kentucky Over a Decade After NBA All-Star Selections

Rajon Rondo has gotten his graduation degree nearly 2 decades after leaving the program to become an NBA player

Rajon Rondo Graduates From Kentucky Over a Decade After NBA All-Star Selections

Rajon Rondo (Image via Kentucky MBB)

Rajon Rondo built a rabid fan following during his 16 NBA seasons. His flashy dimes and flamboyant handles were imitated by basketball fans across the world during his heyday. Rondo is best known as a Boston Celtics star. He earned four All-Star game selections through eight seasons in Boston. Rondo was involved in some classic NBA playoff battles, notably with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James among others.

The former All-NBA selection was named by the University of Kentucky on a list of student-athletes to complete their graduation in the ongoing academic year. Rondo received his diploma after completing his undergraduate degree, earning a bachelor’s degree in communications. He was one of seven student-athletes to finish their undergraduate degree this year from the university.

Rajon Rondo last played in the NBA in the 2021-22 season. He will be eligible for enshrinement in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2026. Rondo played two years with Kentucky in the SEC and had a dominant college tenure. As a freshman in the college, he tallied a whopping 87 steals – a school record for the illustrious program. He managed at least one steal in every single game as a freshman, setting another record.

The 19-year-old finished his freshman season with averages of 8.1 points, 3.5 assists and 2.6 steals per game. Rondo continued his dominance as a sophomore, improving his playmaking and earning more minutes in the rotation. The Oak Hill Academy graduate finished his sophomore year with averages of 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.

Rondo was also selected to play for the USA Basketball U21 team in Argentina. He made a big impression on NBA scouts with his play overseas, averaging 11 points and 4.5 assists per game. His two-way play made him a surefire NBA player despite his subpar shooting. Rondo finished his college career shooting 28.3% from 3 and 57.7% from the free throw line. He was selected in the first round by the Celtics.

Is Rajon Rondo worthy of a Basketball Hall of Fame selection?

The ‘Rondo fake’ – in which a player fakes a behind-the-back pass before taking a layup – is one of the most copied moves across the world on courts. Rondo led the league in assists per game and continued the Jason Williams tradition of flamboyant point guard play. At his best, Rondo even outplayed LeBron James in a playoff game in 2012, dropping 44 points in a Conference Finals loss.

However, an untimely ACL tear in January 2013 sapped him of his elite athleticism. Rondo would return nearly a year later, but he was never the same player again. The former All-Defensive team selection was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, but his time in Texas came to a stinging end. Rondo then played in Sacramento for a year before signing with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016.

Rondo had a late hurray in New Orleans, but he then moved to the Lakers as a free agent in 2018. Rondo would go on to be a key player in the Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship run – his second time winning one. After playing two more seasons in the league, Rondo would say an unceremonious goodbye to the NBA, much like his Lakers teammates Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony and Trevor Ariza.

Rondo built a reputation as one of the NBA’s most intelligent and studious players while active. He was renowned for his basketball IQ and for putting in copious hours of film study. Rondo has often been discussed as an NBA player who could likely be a great NBA coach. Despite his off-court troubles, Rondo has built a solid resume during his time in the NBA and should be a fringe Hall of Famer.

Also Read: