BTN.com staff, May 7, 2012

Don Nelson has accomplished plenty as either a basketball player or basketball coach at the high school, college and professional level, but he's about to do something he's never done before. He's about to earn his college degree from Iowa. The 71-year-old basketball legend will go through commencement at Iowa next weekend and fulfill his late mother's wish to get his college degree. The Quad City Times has the entire tale right here, and it's a good one.

The story details Nelson's excitement after a half century has passed since his final class at Iowa.:

"You can tell by the tone of Nelson?s voice that he regards this as one of the achievements of a lifetime loaded with them. Upon hearing the news that he had completed the requirements for his degree, he knew exactly what he wanted to do.

?I told them, ?Don?t mail it to me. I?m going to come and get it,? ? Nelson said.

Nelson is a colorful character and commencement kicks off a summer that will end with him being inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame in September. You can get caught up on his NBA career here and read the the entire commencement story at QCTimes.com.