John Salley didn’t let the success of a pro basketball career stand in the way of earning his Georgia Tech degree.

Despite signing a five-year, $2.2 million contract with the Detroit Pistons, Salley returned during the off-season to pursue his management degree. Salley, Mgt 88, returns to the Tech campus to speak at Georgia Tech’s commencement Dec. 11. The ceremony will be at 9 a.m. in the Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Morehouse College President Walter Massey will speak during the 3 p.m. graduate ceremony.

Salley was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in June 1986. He is the only person to play for three NBA championship teams: the ’88-’89 and ’89-’90 Pistons, the ’95-’96 Bulls and the ’00-’01 Lakers.

Since retiring from basketball, Salley has had stints in acting and television. He currently co-hosts “The Best Damn Sports Show Period,” a talk show on Fox Sports. He credits his Tech education, and particularly professors Phil Adler and Dorothy Yancy, for contributing to his success in television.

“They just did all the right things,” Salley said. “Dr. Adler would sit there and teach without using a book, but the way he taught was what helped me the most. I learned how to pay attention and listen to people and that’s really important in this business. Those two professors got me ready for the real world.”

As a Yellow Jacket, Salley was named to All-ACC teams in 1986 and 1987 and the All-America second team in 1986. At his final home game, his No. 22 jersey was retired in Alexander Memorial Coliseum. He was inducted into the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame in 1991.