MBA By Morning, Final Four By Night: The Unlikely Journey Of Duke’s Neal Begovich

At first glance, Neal Begovich’s stats suggest a quiet career: 45 minutes of game time over two seasons at Duke. But behind the numbers is a story of leadership, discipline, and an unprecedented balancing act — earning an MBA at one of the world’s top business schools while competing for one of college basketball’s most storied programs.

A graduate transfer from Stanford, Begovich arrived at Duke with two years of eligibility remaining — and a bold vision.

“I really didn’t know how feasible it would be,” he says. “No one had ever really tried to do this — get an MBA at a top-tier school like Fuqua and still play high-level Division I basketball. But Duke made it possible.”

YOUNGEST IN THE CLASSROOM, OLDEST ON THE COURT

It’s an understatement to say that Begovich’s academic journey at the Fuqua School has been ambitious. He earned his Master of Management Studies: Foundations of Business degree last year and is now completing the B-school’s Accelerated MBA program.

His typical day would leave most students cross-eyed. Each day began with 8 a.m. business classes alongside seasoned professionals and military veterans — classmates often a decade older with careers already underway. Then it was off to Cameron Indoor Stadium, where Begovich, the oldest player on the roster, suited up to lead from the bench, mentor younger teammates like freshman phenom Cooper Flagg, and offer real-time strategic input.

“It’s been surreal,” Begovich says. “In the mornings, I’m the youngest person in my MBA classes — learning from seasoned professionals and world-class professors. Then I head up the hill to practice and I’m the oldest guy on the team. They call me Uncle.”

A LEADER IN THE LOCKER ROOM

Despite limited playing time, Begovich became a critical part of Duke’s 2025 Final Four run. His voice carried weight in team huddles. His insights helped shape game plans. Teammates thought of him as a second coach, someone who saw things in real-time and wasn’t afraid to speak up.

The season ended in heartbreak — a 70–67 semifinal loss to Houston — but the journey left an indelible mark.

“It hurts because we were all-in,” Begovich says. “No one was thinking about the end, so when it came, it hit harder. That just shows how special the team really was.”

FROM CAMERON TO THE CLASSROOM

Off the court, Fuqua pushed Begovich in new directions. He leaned into group-based learning, sharpened his communication skills, and studied topics like financial modeling and strategic leadership. Professors and classmates — many of whom had never shared a classroom with an active student-athlete — embraced him fully.

“I don’t think I’ll ever forget coming back from the Final Four and getting a standing ovation from my classmates and professors,” he says. “That meant everything.”

Still, the academic-athletic balancing act wasn’t easy. Course selection had to fit around practice and travel. Assignments were tackled on the road. But Fuqua faculty understood the demands.

“At Stanford, some professors didn’t even know when games were. At Duke, they were cheering us on,” he says. “They were almost too nice.”

INTERNSHIPS, INSPIRATION & THE COACH K EFFECT

Begovich’s path to B-school was paved with intentional choices. As a Stanford undergrad, he majored in economics and completed internships in private equity, venture capital, and wealth management — rare experiences for a Division I basketball player.

“I didn’t want to be the oldest or smartest person in the room,” he says. “I wanted to be challenged. And Fuqua delivered that.”

He also found inspiration in the form of Duke’s legendary head coach, Mike Krzyzewski. Though retired, Coach K remains active on campus — often guest lecturing at Fuqua and dropping into Cameron.

“He and I would pass each other in the parking lot almost every morning,” Begovich says. “He’s not coaching anymore, but his drive hasn’t changed. He gave us a speech before the season that I still think about all the time. He commands a room like no one else.”

FROM THE FINAL FOUR TO THE FRONT OFFICE

Now set to graduate, Begovich will begin a short-term front office role with an NBA team — he can’t say which yet, as the contract hasn’t been signed — before deciding whether to pursue a career in sports private equity or work toward becoming a general manager.

“The sports and business intersection is exploding right now,” he says. ““The way we consume and invest in sports is changing fast, and I want to be at the forefront of that.”

And for all the what-ifs that come with a bittersweet end to a Final Four run, Begovich has no regrets.

“This was the experience of a lifetime,” he says. “I may not have played much, but I knew I could make an impact. And honestly, I think I got more back from this experience than I ever could’ve imagined.”

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