Sometimes you are forced to make tough decisions: decisions that will not only impact your life and the lives of your family, but the lives of thousands of other people. I’ve been lucky enough to never have to make such an important decision. Roy Hibbert was confronted with such a dilemma 10 months ago. Hibbert chose to turn down a job in the NBA to stay in school. He had to say, “I want to turn down a million-dollar offer and a lifestyle of ultimate luxury so that I can go to class, eat cafeteria food, and take final exams.” He made the right choice.

College is everybody’s last chance to truly have fun. Once you join the work force, there are responsibilities that come with the territory. People with jobs do have fun, but it’s nothing like the carefree kind of fun you can have as an undergraduate. To compare, look at his front court partner from last year - Jeff Green.

Faced with the same decision, Jeff decided to go pro. Who can blame him? He was a lottery pick, signed a nice contract, and has enough money at this point to probably retire after two more seasons if he wanted to. On the other hand, he’s got a real job. He works everyday, bangs bodies with older, stronger guys, can’t spend extended time with anybody except his co-workers, and travels all the time. Oh, his team is also about 30 games under .500 - doesn’t sound like much fun. I doubt Jeff regrets his decision, but I’m sure that he is sad to be missing out on the chance to still be playing with his long-time teammates at Georgetown.

When Roy announced that he would be returning to Georgetown for his senior season he used a phrase to explain his reasoning, “unfinished business.” The Hoyas were so close to getting a shot to play for the National Championship that Roy wasn’t ready to give up on that dream. He turned down the NBA for a chance at more Big East championships and the ultimate prize of the NCAA Title.

It’s been an unbelievable four years for Big Roy - literally. Who would’ve believed that the slow, awkward, freshman who averaged less than 16 minutes per game, would have developed into the premier big man in the Big East? The fans used to cheer when he came into the game, not because of his impact on the outcome, but because of his star power. Coach Thompson even addressed the fans in one comment, saying “Roy is not a mascot.” Nobody would think of him as a mascot now; he’s more like an icon.

The points, rebounds, blocks, assists, stats, records, highlights, nominations, and awards are all nice, but the real thing that he is after, that he’s been after since the game against Ohio State, is still there for the taking. Unfinished business. After four months of battling through the season, the unfinished business begins in earnest tomorrow. Every game builds confidence and every game pushes the Hoyas one step closer to their goal.

Roy is probably the Hoya who has shown the most improvement during his career (the only other player who might have improved just as much was Charles Smith). Roy has worked so hard for so long to get to where he is that you almost knew he would come back for his senior season. His M.O. is consistent - work hard, for a long time, do things at your own pace, don’t take any short cuts. It’s hard to argue with the results. That’s the way he’s developed into the top post player in the country, that’s the way he will finish his career at Georgetown, and that is the way that he will be remembered.