The NCAA advertises that almost all of its student athletes will be “going pro in something else.” While that’s true, a lot of former college basketball players stay close to the sport by running camps or working in fitness. And others end up working 9-5 jobs like the rest of us. But every once in a while, we come across a player that flies in the face of convention. Here are the Top 10 Unlikeliest Jobs among former college ballers.
10. Tim James (Miami): Soldier
Tim James starred at the University of Miami and with the Miami Heat before finishing his short NBA career in Charlotte and Philadelphia. But instead of using that fame to get a cushy business or media job, James went the Pat Tillman route and enlisted in the Army; he is currently serving in Iraq. In his own words, “I wanted to understand new minds and new ways of thinking. I’ve been in basketball since I was 8. I didn’t want to have a basketball conversation every day.”
9. Terry Cummings (DePaul): R&B Musician
It certainly isn’t unlikely for an NBA star to come out with an album. But to actually have musical talent and play an instrument? That is extraordinary. He released “T.C. Finally” in 2007 and his music is similar to R&B/soul styles. He wrote, sang and played keyboards for the album. For a taste of his talent, check out his official web site.
8. Michael Doleac (Utah): University of Utah Student
Utah’s Michael Doleac is back at Utah to earn his post-graduate degree, which isn’t unlikely in itself or technically a job at all. What is interesting is that he’s enrolled in the SMART program, which is a program in Utah meant to gear lovers of math and science into teaching the two. Doleac hopes to become a physics teacher. Yeah, you could say he looks a little out of place there.
7. Clyde Lee (Vanderbilt): Yoga Instructor
Vanderbilt’s greatest player of all-time, Clyde Lee suffered a lot of back pain from his playing days. Someone suggested he try yoga, but Lee dismissed it. Eventually he tried it and loved it so much he became a yoga instructor himself. He suffered a stroke a year ago and as a result no longer teaches. According to external affairs at Vanderbilt, Lee has been recovering well. Hopefully he’ll be back on the mat soon.
6. Reggie Love (Duke): “Body Man”
Carrying around another man’s hand sanitizer, toothbrush, Scope, cough drops and Tylenol isn’t usually a dream job – unless you’re doing it for President Barack Obama, like Duke’s Reggie Love. As special assistant and personal aide to the President – a.k.a. the “body man” – Love is always at the President’s side for whatever he needs. He’s also a great ringer for Obama’s legendary pick-up games with the most powerful men in Washington.
Part II: #5-1
Got a question or comment? E-mail us here
Liked this story? Click here for Lost Lettermen’s RSS feed and receive all our great content
Click here to start contributing to our wiki database of over 150,000 former college athletes and help us answer the question, “Where Are They Now?”













2 Comments
Please, please tell me Doleac actually wears tank tops to class….
Look at the Prez blocking Reggie. Seriously, you played at Duke, son!
2 Trackbacks
[...] Part I: top 10 Unlikeliest Jobs (#10-6) [...]
[...] Part I: top 10 Unlikeliest Jobs (#10-6) [...]