Florida State University Athletics
Basketball’s Alabi Earns Degree At Florida State Commencement
12/11/2020 11:20:17 AM | Men's Basketball
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As a standout basketball player for the Seminoles, Solomon Alabi left an impact on Florida State University both on and off the court and that has continued into 2020.
Alabi has returned to Florida State University after a successful college and professional basketball career to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Social Science with a primary concentration in Political Science and Public Administration and a secondary concentration in Sociology.
As Alabi earns his degree in Florida State’s virtual graduation ceremony on December 11, 2020, he becomes the 70th player during Hamilton’s tenure as the Seminoles’ head coach to earn his degree. More than 95 percent of Hamilton’s players have earned their degrees throughout his coaching career.
Alabi will earn his degree on the day before No. 20 Florida State plays host to No. 25 Florida at the Donald L. Tucker Center.
“As a father of two kids, receiving a degree is very important because I am hoping to use the degree as an encouragement to value academics and knowledge is power,” said Alabi. “My daughter tells me she wants to be a chemist and I tell her there is no better place than FSU to get her degree. Also, my mother back home in Nigeria would be proud of her son being a Florida State alumnus.”
Alabi, from Kaduna, Nigeria, started at Florida State University in 2007 and later reenrolled in 2013 with the intent of finishing his degree requirements while playing professional basketball at the same time.
During his athletic collegiate career, Alabi played three seasons for the Seminoles averaging 11.7 points per game while shooting .794 percent from the field during his final season. Alabi was a two-time ACC All-Defensive team selection (2009 and 20210) as he led the conference in blocks both years, (2.1 and 2.3 blocks per game, respectively). Alabi became the first player in Florida State’s history to lead the ACC in blocked shots.
“In college, basketball kept me focused on my academics and I was able to balance my academics and basketball,” said Alabi. “Once I became a professional, basketball consumed my time as it was my full time job. I had to put my studies on hold. Once I started thinking of retiring I knew that I wanted to complete my degree at Florida State.”
As an elite shot blocker, Alabi helped the Seminoles lead the ACC in field goal percentage defense (.377), scoring defense (60.4 points allowed per game), and blocked shots per game (6.3 blocked shots per game) in 2009. Alabi was a starter on the Seminoles’ NCAA Tournament teams in 2009 and 2010.
Alabi helped lead the Seminoles to 47 wins and appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 2009 and 2010.
He played alongside former Seminoles and current professional Derwin Kitchen during his Florida State career.
“Solomon’s best attribute was his shot blocking ability,” said Kitchen. “He anchored our defense for years because he made it so hard for teams to get easy shots at the basket. He also had a great shooting touch; not many 7’1 guys can shoot the ball as well as he could.
“I’m extremely proud of Solomon. It takes a special person to put in the time and effort to want to go back and finish their degree after being removed from school for ten to eleven years. So, to see one of my closest friends and former teammates accomplish a goal like this I’m happy for him.”
After his redshirt-sophomore season Alabi decided to enter the 2010 NBA Draft.
Alabi was selected in the second round with the 50th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks and traded on draft night to the Toronto Raptors. Alabi played two seasons in the NBA and played professionally in Greece, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
“I’ve always had the intention to complete my degree at FSU,” said Alabi. “I had to put my name in for the draft because the time was right and I wanted to pursue a career in basketball. Education is very important and I never wanted to give that up.”
Alabi’s work ethic and dedication is illustrated by his persistence, effort, and hustle on the court as well as his desire to finish what he started in the classroom.
“It was obvious from the day we began recruiting Solomon that earning his degree was important to him and his family.” said Head Coach Leonard Hamilton. “He took advantage of his opportunities, became an NBA player, enjoyed a professional career overseas and started a wonderful family. By coming back to Florida State and finishing his degree, he showed the kind of man, father and husband he has become. We are very proud of Solomon and the man he has become.”
Hamilton has a history of prioritizing academics and building better people.
“My parents, family, Coach Hamilton and Coach Jones were the motivating factors for me to complete my degree, said Alabi. “Coach Jones would message me frequently and ask me, ‘When are you going to graduate?’ I appreciate that he never gave up on me and when I was ready to go back to school, he made sure I was in touch with the right people to enroll.”
While at Florida State, Alabi played in all 67 games during the final two seasons of his career making him the only Seminole to do so. Alabi has continued to travel the world to set out on achieving his goals as an athlete and as a student.
“It is a testament to who Solomon is as an individual, and the culture of Florida State Basketball under Coach Hamilton,” said Men’s Basketball Academic Advisor Charlie Hogan. Solomon had the opportunity to leave school early and was drafted into the NBA. He was able to play professionally all over the world but knew that the ball would stop bouncing one day. It’s a message that Coach Hamilton preaches religiously to his players.”
The coaching staff emphasizes accomplishments that will impact each players’ future.
“It’s very common for former student-athletes to return to FSU to complete their degrees,” said Associate Director of Academic Support for Athletics Charlie Hogan. “The degree completion program supports around 30 former student-athletes per semester. Selected former student-athletes receive scholarships for tuition costs which are provided based on individual circumstances and the contingency of scholarship funds being available for that semester. All former student-athletes who qualify for the degree completion program can chose to utilize academic advising and tutoring services provided by the office of Student Athlete Academic Services.”
Other recent early entry draftees from the men’s basketball program including Dwayne Bacon, Malik Beasley, and Mfiondu Kabengele have recently enrolled in classes toward their FSU degrees while playing in the NBA.
Because of his effervescent personality, Alabi will always be remembered as a very special Seminole.
“Solomon is one of those young men that you never forget anything about being around him,” said Associate Head Coach Stan Jones. “He has such a charismatic personality, such a passion for life, and an unquenchable desire to get better and loved being a great teammate.
“Solomon has Florida State deep in his heart,” said Jones. He promised his family back in Nigeria that he was going to finish his degree. He promised his host family in Orlando who he lived with when he was going to high school, and he promised us, as his coaches, that he would make sure to get that done. He has been very diligent once he finished his playing career to stay on top of everything with the athletic support people here at Florida State. Solomon always expresses his graciousness and gratitude for having the opportunity to work with them for getting this done.”
As a beloved student-athlete on Florida State’s campus, Alabi enjoyed his experience as a student-athlete at Florida State.
“I miss being around my teammates who became my best friends,” said Albi. “Living in Osceola Village Hall and walking to campus every day, and students shouting my name driving by are things I will always remember. My best memories are of other students giving me high-fives in the hallway, and asking the tall joke ‘how is the air up there?’
On his graduation day, the air up there is just fine for Alabi who is now a proud alumnus of Florida State University.