The former Cal basketball star played for the Golden Bears during the 1995-96 season where he averaged 21.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He was the first freshman in Pac-12 (then Pac-10) history to win conference Player of the Year honors, and was named a Third Team All-American by the Associated Press. Abdur-Rahim also set the single-season freshman records for points, scoring average, field goals, and free throws.

He decided to leave Cal after his standout freshman campaign and was the third overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft.

Abdur-Rahim, an NBA All-Star in 2002, averaged 18.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game over a 13-year NBA career with the Vancouver Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings.

Abdur-Rahim, now the Assistant General Manager for the Kings, returned to Cal to complete his sociology degree and graduated with a 3.8 grade point average. He was back on campus today for the University's commencement, sharing the special moment with his family.

We talked to Abdur-Rahim about his experiences beyond basketball and the importance of returning to school to receive his college degree in the following interview.