Jarrett Jack's career: NBA and Ga. Tech

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Jarrett Jack's career: NBA and Ga. Tech

Jarrett Jack's career: NBA and Ga. Tech

As a guard at Georgia Tech from 2002-05, Jarrett Jack (3) helped guide the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 NCAA Finals.

In 2005, after his junior season at Tech, Jack (left, with then-Tech basketball head coach Paul Hewitt) decided to leave the Jackets for the NBA.

Jack's mother, Louise (left) agreed in 2005 to her son leaving college early for the NBA -- with one stipulation. She asked him to promise that he would return to Tech at some point in his future and finish school. Jack agreed and returned to Tech seven of nine offseasons to chip away at the final 33 of the 122 credit hours necessary to graduate. -- Text by Ken Sugiura, AJC

2005 -- Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski hugs Jack following the ACC championship game in Washington, D.C. To complete his degree, Jack typically took one or two classes each summer after making the move to pro basketball.

2008 -- Jack has returned to Atlanta numerous times as a pro, playing for various NBA teams (here, with Portland). But remaining a part of academic life at Georgia Tech was a real test for him. When motivation waned as he struggled through chemistry, math and upper-level management courses, his oath (and those he gave it to) kept him going. -- Text by Ken Sugiura, AJC

2009 -- With the Raptors, Jack (1) battled the Hawks at Philips Arena. During his most recent trip to Atlanta for 2014 graduation exercises, Jack received his management degree at Tech's McCamish Pavilion. “I’ve been working very, very hard to finish up my academic requirements and it’s something I felt like I wanted to be part of,” Jack says. -- Text by Ken Sugiura, AJC

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As a guard at Georgia Tech from 2002-05, Jarrett Jack (3) helped guide the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 NCAA Finals.

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