SAN ANTONIO VS. LOS ANGELES PHILADELPHIA VS. MILWAUKEE

Wednesday, May 30 Carter could be a no-show at graduation ESPN.com news services Carter Vince Carter could be playing basketball on Sunday instead of graduating from college. The Toronto Raptors star would like to attend graduation ceremonies at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Sunday, but a schedule conflict could alter his plans. That's the same day the Raptors could be playing the Sixers in a Game 7. The Raptors had to win Wednesday and this Friday to guarantee that Carter would be free to attend the festivities. But since they lost to the Sixers 121-88 Wednesday, and now trail the best-of-seven series 3-2, the Raptors have to win Friday's Game 6 to force a Game 7 -- on Sunday. Now, the only way Carter can attend graduation is if Toronto loses on Friday -- and gets eliminated from the Eastern Conference semifinal series. Win or lose, Carter's educational accomplishments won't go unrecognized. "It's going to be a big moment for me," Carter, who will receive his degree in African studies, told the Washington Times in Wednesday's editions. "My life has had some thrilling moments, but this ranks right up there with all of them." The Raptors' success so far in the playoffs -- plus some of the notoriety he gained this year -- has overshadowed the other positives in his life, including his return to school. Michelle Carter, Vince's mother, has always stressed education. When Vince Carter left North Carolina after his junior year -- and before he signed a contract with the Raptors -- mother and son worked out a contract of their own. He agreed, in writing, that he would go back to school and complete his degree. "I told her then that I wanted to get it for myself," Carter said. "I worked hard to get it, and I know that she's proud of that." Carter added that he didn't want to be left out, in terms of higher education, when his family gets together. "My mother, my dad, my grandmother, everybody's accomplished that goal of going to college. You go to college, you might as well get your degree," Carter said. Carter follows a long line of former Tar Heels who have gotten their diplomas after leaving early. Wizards president of basketball operations Michael Jordan left Carolina after his junior year but went back for his degree. Last year Detroit's Jerry Stackhouse and Golden State's Antawn Jamison, lottery picks who left school following their sophomore and junior years, respectively, graduated. Carter didn't accept any star treatment when he returned to campus. He simply slipped a backpack over his shoulder and made his way to class. "It was fun, it was fun," Carter says. "What made it so fun was that my classmates and everybody around campus just treated me as a normal person. "As far as the other students were concerned, they just treated me as Vince Carter, Carolina student. It was easy for me to go back into the classroom, be a student and do what I needed to do." Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories

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