Watch CBS News

NBA Star Fulfills Promise To Mom And Obtains Degree

DETROIT (WWJ) - Earl Cureton is a former NBA great who played for the Detroit Pistons and six other teams, winning two championships rings. But this Mother's Day, Cureton is fulfilling a promise he made 30 years ago, to his now 94- year-old mom, he's finally graduating from college.

Cureton spoke live on WWJ about the biggest lesson's from his mother:

"She never really pushed the issue for me to go back all the time, she just told me stories about how hard it was for her. And just watching her and watching her struggles every day. I knew it was extremely important to do that. She just instilled hard work into every kid she had in our family," says Cureton.

Cureton is set to get his diploma on May 13th at University of Detroit's Calihan Hall. Cureton's  mom is planning to be there to witness this long-awaited fulfillment of a promise.  

"I went back time and time again, it stayed in the back of my mind that I needed to finish. You know, it's important for the kids to see that happen, I do a lot of public speaking to kids and talking to them, you've got to let them know, you've got to do it yourself before you can preach it to them," says Crueton.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.