Even Larry Brown, 76ers head coach and UNC alumnus, could empathize with Carter's predicament. ''I've got mixed emotions. Because I thought what he did was really a neat thing for everybody,'' Brown was quoted by the Associated Press following his team's victory over Carter and the Raptors. Carter's coach, Lenny Wilkens, warned him that, if he didn't play well after going to his graduation, the criticism from others would be fierce. But, in the aftermath of the Raptors' loss, Wilkins noted that Carter's graduation is a remarkable accomplishment worthy of celebration. ''You know, these young guys have enough money and they don't have to go back. I think that's usually ingrained in you by your parents, how important education is.
Education is forever and knowledge is power.
If you have that you've got something nobody in the world can take that away from you,'' Wilkens was quoted as saying in the Washington Times. The question of whether Carter's graduation cost Toronto the victory I'm sure will be debated for some time. Regardless of the answer, he has clearly shown just how much he values education. And, for the kids who see Vince Carter as a hero, this is far more important than any playoff victory. This article published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Sunday, May 27, 2001. send this story to a friend discuss this story email the editor opyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc.