Detroit mayoral candidate, ex-NBA star corrects claims on degrees

DETROIT — Detroit mayoral candidate and former NBA great Dave Bing says he does not have a master’s degree and received his undergraduate degree 29 years later than he had claimed.

The former Detroit Pistons star told The Associated Press today his auto industry work was like having an MBA. Bing has touted the degree while urging athletes to stay in school, but says he didn’t intend to imply he’d earned an MBA in school.

Bing also admits he receiving his bachelor’s degree in economics from Syracuse University in 1995. He previously claimed to have completed school in 1966 but actually was short of credits.

Bing, 65, faces incumbent Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. in a runoff special election May 5.