A top basketball player has told of his joy at landing his university degree - after two years of juggling studies, playing professional sport and becoming a father for the first time.

Texas-born Prince Onwas, 31, who was studying for a Master’s in Business Administration, has praised University of the West of Scotland for providing the flexibility that allowed him to gain a degree while continuing to fulfil his dream of playing “ball” for Scotland’s professional team.

He said: “To say that it’s an amazing feeling to be graduating is an understatement.”

After joining the basketball franchise in 2022, Prince was given the chance to study with the University through a Caledonia Gladiators programme.

Prince stars for the club in the Super League Basketball championships, competing against rival teams across the UK, while also taking on European teams in the FIBA Europe Cup. 

Prince met his Italian-born partner, Zoe, while playing and studying in Scotland. The pair welcomed their first child, daughter Amira, in July this year – both of whom were there to watch.

The 6ft 6in player hasn’t let a joint focus on basketball and university studies slow him down. From winning the 2023 British Basketball League Trophy (Caledonia Gladiators’ first in 20 years) to picking up the UWS Sports Personality of the Year award, Prince has managed to stay on top form on the court and in the lecture hall.

He said: “Two years of hard work on and off the court, balancing basketball, university studies and now fatherhood: it has been a struggle, but it’s all been worth it and what a relief to walk across that stage. 

“Scotland has become my second home since signing with the Caledonia Gladiators and to have earned a university degree now here too is something really special. 

Being able to study while playing professional sport is an incredible opportunity that many in this field don’t come by and I’m lucky that the club and my professors have been accommodating to allow me to do both. 

Prince Onwas

“All professional sports have a shelf life, and my hope is that with my business degree, I’ll be able to work within the basketball space long after I leave the court.”

UWS Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor James Miller, said: “Graduation is a highlight in our university calendar, giving us the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the fantastic achievements of our students alongside their families and friends.

“Congratulations to Prince for gaining his Master’s degree while also contributing significantly to his basketball team at the Caledonia Gladiators – he has been an inspiration to many of our students and the wider UWS community and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the Caledonia Gladiators.”

Professor Kasim Sheikh, Dean of the School of Business and Creative Industries, said: “Congratulations to Prince for graduating with a Master’s in Business Administration. Prince is a fantastic example to our students of how you can still study for a degree while following your dreams and aspirations in other areas of life. He embodies the values of UWS both on and off the basketball court and it was wonderful to celebrate him alongside his peers, family and friends at the UWS graduation - I look forward to continuing our friendship with Prince and seeing what he achieves next.”

Ciaran O'Brien, Head of Sport and Wellbeing, said: "On behalf of UWS Sport, I'd like to extend a huge congratulations to Prince for this fantastic achievement. Prince is an inspiration to students and the wider UWS community, as he has juggled professional basketball, family life, while also studying for his degree. It's wonderful to celebrate him graduating and we are incredibly proud of Prince.

Prince is an inspiration to students and the wider UWS community, as he has juggled professional basketball, family life, while also studying for his degree.

Ciaran O'Brien, Head of Sport and Wellbeing at UWS

“We look forward to continuing to work with him through our partnership with the Caledonia Gladiators."

Tony McDaid, CEO of Caledonia Gladiators, said: “What a fantastic achievement for Prince – to say that he has graduated with a Master’s in Business Administration he completed while playing professional basketball across the UK and Europe is quite the feat.

“Within the Caledonia Gladiators franchise, we are passionate about providing our players with a home away from home while on our team but also opportunities that will set them up once they eventually move on from playing the sport at a professional level.

What a fantastic achievement for Prince – to say that he has graduated with a Master’s in Business Administration he completed while playing professional basketball across the UK and Europe is quite the feat.

Tony McDaid, CEO of Caledonia Gladiators

“Our associates at University of the West of Scotland have been the ideal partner, allowing us to provide our players with life beyond basketball while being flexible to the schedule of professional athletes.”