George Gervin, who starred for the Eastern Michigan basketball team for two seasons and led the NBA in scoring four times, will serve as the speaker for EMU’s fall commencement, the university announced Tuesday.

George Gervin, shown at Eastern Michigan in 2008, will serve as the commencement speaker at EMU on Dec. 18.

File photo

Gervin, who grew up in Detroit, averaged 29.5 points a game as a sophomore at Eastern in 1971-72. As a pro, he played most of his career with the San Antonio Spurs and led the NBA in scoring in 1977-78, 1978-79, 1979-80 and 1981-82. He averaged 26.2 points a game in the NBA and was named one of the 50 greatest players in league history.

Gervin, 59, lives in San Antonio and leads the George Gervin Youth Center, which was founded in 1991.

“We are delighted to have George Gervin, 'The Iceman,' as our fall commencement speaker,” Eastern Michigan University President Susan Martin said in a press release. “George's story is one of a young man who didn't value education early in life but used his NBA basketball success and fame to give other young men and women a chance to get an education. He has many life lessons and insights to offer our graduates from a man who is now committed to education, family and helping students.”

Commencement ceremonies are scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Convocation Center.

Gervin was given an honorary baccalaureate degree from Eastern in 2008, his jersey was retired in 1986 and he was elected to the Eastern Hall of Fame in 1993.