One more rebound for Lester Neal: 20 years after playing, the Sun Devil grabs his degree

More than two decades after competing at Arizona State and after a successful pro career overseas, the 1992-93 team co-MVP of the Sun Devil men's basketball team Lester Neal has earned his degree. The Chicago native, who also is a member of the Ventura College Hall of Fame, was a part of Sun Devil teams under Bill Frieder that went 19-14 in 1991-92 and 18-10 in 1992-93.

Check out every Sun Devil men's basketball player who has earned a degree from 1990-present

"I am so proud to have worked with Lester through the years," says former Sun Devil head coach Bill Frieder, who won 132 games in Tempe from 1989-96. "In all my years of coaching he is one of my favorites because of his attitude and his hard work. He is a special person and a true Sun Devil."

Neal, who played at Ventura College and prior to that at Dunbar High School in Illinois, averaged nine boards a game in 1992=93, good enough to lead the Pac-10. In his two-career, he played in 59 games and started in 47 and shot .556 (248-of-448) from the field and averaged 8.2 boards per game and 10.4 points per game. He posted his career-high in his final game with 26 points vs. Georgetown in a NIT loss on March 18, 1993, and his best rebounding effort was on Dec. 5, 1991, when he grabbed 18 vs. Texas-San Antonio.

His 484 rebounds is fourth-most by a two-year player in Sun Devil history, as is his 8.2 boards per game average.

"We are thrilled that Lester has finished his degree," says former Sun Devil soccer player and current Assistant Athletic Director for Student Services Patrice Feulner. "On the court, he was known as one of the hardest-working players in the conference and it showed in incredible rebounding numbers. He played for two winning teams and brought incredible energy each and every game and practice."