LOOK: Derek Anderson returns to UK to finish up degree

23 years after leaving the University of Kentucky for the NBA, former star forward Derek Anderson returned to school and officially earned his degree from UK back on Dec. 4.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies, Anderson says it’s an “honor” to return back to UK and finish what he once started as a player over two decades ago.

“It’s an honor to be there, it’s an honor to be a part of this program for many years and just to complete it again, it’s a beautiful thing,” Anderson said in an interview with UK AD Mitch Barnhart. “I’m grateful for you guys to always support us.”

He originally graduated with a degree in pharmacy back in 1997.

Anderson says he’s proud of the accomplishment and the purpose in life he’s found along the way, a legacy he’s excited to leave with his children.

“It means everything, to come back and get your degree, come back to the place that’s always supported you and helped you be who you are, you always find a purpose in why you started,” Anderson said. “It’s like going back to when you were a kid and go to your old neighborhood, you realize the reason why you started is you wanted to finish. You want to see purpose in life.

“Now that I have done that, I leave a legacy for my children to have a purpose in life. Not to be a basketball player, but to be a person who believes in life and can finish. Coming back, that was me doing it for my children, but also doing it for myself. I never wanted to look at myself and say, “Hey, you started something, but you didn’t finish it.”‘

Kentucky legend @DerekLAnderson recently returned to school to finish up his degree.

“It means everything. … I leave a legacy for my children to have a purpose in life.”

Congrats to Derek on finishing the job and becoming a graduate of the @universityofky! pic.twitter.com/D0IH8bx3m8

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 23, 2020

Anderson played at Kentucky for two years back in 1995-96 and 1996-97, winning a title with the Wildcats his first eligible year with the program. He averaged 9.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game his first year, followed by 17.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game as a senior.

The former Wildcat would go on to play in the NBA from 1997 to 2008, earning NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors (1998) along with winning a world title with the Miami Heat in 2006.