PISCATAWAY, N.J. – One of the greatest players in the history of Rutgers men’s basketball has received his cap and gown and graduated from the university.

Rutgers legend Quincy Douby (2003-06) completed his degree at Rutgers with the support of Rutgers Athletics. Douby’s Bachelor’s Degree is in Labor Studies and Employment Relations, which he received virtually at the completion of the semester.

“It means so much to me,” Douby said. “I'll be the second one in my family get a college degree, so that really means a lot. Just for me to be an example, not only for my family and my kids, but people in my community where a lot of people don't make it out. Growing up in Coney Island, New York, I never dreamed of everything I’ve accomplished in basketball and in life.”

“We at Rutgers men’s basketball are so proud of Quincy Douby for graduating from this great university,” Pikiell said. “Quincy is a legend and is always a part of our family and The Knighthood we are building here. Quincy’s hard work and commitment to finish his degree represents everything I preach to our current team about the importance of being a well-rounded student-athlete. We wish Quincy continued success and thank him for being the ultimate role model to our players on and off the court. We can’t wait to see him soon back on campus.”

Douby took a scholarship to Rutgers out of high school in 2003 and played three seasons for the Scarlet Knights, averaging 17.8 points-per-game, and shooting 47 percent from the field. 

The sleek shooting guard burst upon the scene as a freshman in 2003-04, scoring 35 points in an NIT semifinals victory, while earning Big East All-Rookie and Met Rookie of the Year accolades. He had one of the best individual seasons in RU history as a junior in 2005-06 when he averaged 25.4 points-per-game and was recognized as the Big East Player of the Year. Douby scored 1,690 points, the sixth-highest total in Rutgers men's basketball history. 

He made a school-record nine three-pointers to score a Carrier Dome opponent record 41 points at Syracuse on February 1, 2006. The Haggerty Award winner as the Metropolitan Player of the Year and an All-American in 2005-06, Douby is among the Rutgers career leaders in every offensive category. 

Professionally, Douby spent five seasons in the NBA, being the last Scarlet Knight to be drafted in the first round in 2006 by the Sacramento Kings. Douby played professional basketball in multiple countries and had a successful international career after his time in the NBA in Turkey, China, and Spain. 

Douby said that earning his degree was a promise that he made to himself at a young age when he accepted the scholarship to RU and a promise that he made to his mother on that day. Douby reflected on his time in Piscataway, being what he called “one of his biggest blessings in life”.

Douby has visited the current Rutgers basketball team several times over the years including coming to multiple rivalry games against Seton Hall. Douby has spoken to Pikiell’s team and has appreciated the relationship he has built with the Scarlet Knights current head coach. 

“I never got to play for Coach Pikiell, but he’s done so much for me that I feel like I did,” Douby said. “He put his name out there for me to make sure I could take the classes and make sure I was set with my academics all these years later. He kept his word on that and I really appreciate him. I call him and text him time to time. I'm always watching, and I appreciate everything he's doing for the university. He's a player’s coach, and I see how the players love him.”

Douby also shouted out Randi Larson, the current men’s basketball academic advisor, who was also the academic advisor during his seasons at RU. Larson, along with the men’s basketball chief of staff Steve Hayn, guided him through the process. 

“Randi used to be chasing me around back in the day making sure I would go to class,” Douby laughed. “She would always be making sure that I'm staying eligible, so I could continue to do the good stuff I was doing on the court. She stuck with me all these years to make sure I finished my degree. She will always be family to me.”

Douby is currently living in Miami, Florida with his four children and wife and is in his first season of coaching a local high school varsity basketball team Somerset Academy Charter High School. 

His son, Quentin, is in 8th grade and is starting at guard on Douby’s varsity team. Douby expressed the goal of using his degree to become a college basketball coach but wants to coach his son all the way until he graduates high school.

“My career goal is to eventually start coaching in a college level and I know how important it is to have your degree to coach these college kids that you are pushing them to get their degree as well,” Douby said. “As I know from my career in basketball there are only so many spots available on a roster. Realistically, players should strive for the academics and for the diploma first. Then, everything else falls after that.”

Douby said that he watches Coach Pikiell from afar and takes bits and pieces of his coaching style and implements it into what he is doing at the high school level. 

“I'm learning a lot just watching him and seeing how he keeps it cool on the sideline,” Douby laughed. “The guys respond very well. I love how he pulls them to the side, he talks to them, he gives them the confidence, and they go out there and perform at a high level. I respect that a lot about him.”

Current Rutgers fifth-year captain Caleb McConnell is wrapping up his degree in Africana Studies and will be the first member of his family to graduate from college. Douby feels a strong connection to McConnell and what he was able to accomplish off the court. 

“I love hearing that as I know him personally and we have developed a strong connection,” Douby said of McConnell. “I'm very happy for him. He's a great kid and I was thrilled for him when he won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (last season). This program goes into every game expecting to win and that wasn’t the case during my playing days at RU. He deserves it 100 percent and I can’t wait to congratulate him in person.”

Douby plans to return to campus on May 13th to walk for the commencement graduation ceremony on campus alongside McConnell, as well as guard Cam Spencer and forwards Oskar Palmquist and Andrew Fulin.