NBA Legend To Be Honored At CT University's Graduation This Weekend

HARTFORD, CT — The University of Hartford will award former basketball standout and NBA All-Star Vin Baker an honorary doctorate during commencement ceremonies Sunday in downtown Hartford.

The university announced Monday that Baker will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the afternoon undergraduate ceremony at PeoplesBank Arena on May 17.

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Baker, now an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, played at the University of Hartford from 1989 to 1993 and remains one of the most accomplished athletes in school history.

“Everything started from there — being an all-star, the NBA, and now being a world championship basketball coach,” Baker said in a university statement.

A two-time All-American at Hartford, Baker scored a school-record 792 points during the 1992-93 season, a mark that still stands. He was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1993 NBA Draft and went on to play 13 seasons in the league for six teams.

During his NBA career, Baker was named a four-time All-Star and won a gold medal with the 2000 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team.

The university said the honorary degree recognizes Baker’s accomplishments both on and off the court.

In 2021, Baker earned an NBA championship ring as an assistant coach with the Bucks when Milwaukee defeated the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.

In March, UHart announced that a $2.4 million outdoor athletics and recreation complex honoring Baker will be built on the residential side of the University of Hartford campus.

The new facility will include six tennis courts — one lined to accommodate four pickleball courts — and a basketball court, with lighting for evening play.

UHart's campus is located in three separate towns: West Hartford, Hartford, and Bloomfield.

For more information on UHart's commencement, click on this link.

From March 6: 'UHart To Name New Athletics Complex After NBA Hoops Legend'