GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Hall of Fame basketball coach and University of North Dakota alumnus Phil Jackson will add an academic honor to his growing list of career accomplishments Monday, when he receives an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from his alma mater at a convocation ceremony set for 2 p.m., at the Chester Frtiz Auditorium on campus here.

Jackson, currently the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, has amassed 976 regular season wins in his 17 seasons coaching in the NBA. He's led his teams, the Chicago Bulls (1989 to 1998) and the Lakers (1999 to present), into the playoffs every year he's coached. His playoff win percentage of .700 is tops all-time in the NBA, thanks in large part to his nine NBA world championships -- six with Chicago and three with Los Angeles. Jackson's championship tally is tied with Boston Celtics legendary coach Red Auerbach for most. He also is regarded for being part of two NBA Championships as a gritty defensive specialist with the New York Knicks.

Jackson graduated from UND in 1967, after pursuing studies in religion, philosophy and psychology.

"UND is pleased to award the Honorary Doctorate of Letters degree to an outstanding alumnus of the University, Mr. Phil Jackson," said UND President Robert O. Kelley. "Mr. Jackson was nominated for this distinction by the academic faculty and staff of the University. The award acknowledges Mr. Jackson's commitment to scholarship and to the application of philosophical and psychological principles to human performance and excellence in athletic competition."

Jackson will receive his doctorate from UND's College of Arts and Sciences, headed by dean Martha Potvin. He'll join the ranks of more than 200 UND honorary degree recipients over the past 99 years, including Crown Prince Olav of Norway in 1939, President John F. Kennedy in 1963, journalist and North Dakota native Eric Sevareid in 1970, philosopher Mortimer Adler in 1983 and famed cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Michael E. DeBakey in 1990. UND presented its first honorary degree in 1909 to Webster Merrifield, who served the University for 25 years, including 18 as its third president.

Later Monday, after the convocation, Jackson will be the featured guest at the latest installment of the University's "Great Conversation" series at the Chester Fritz Auditorium. The event, part of the school's 125th anniversary celebration, is an opportunity for the community to have an informal conversation with Phil Jackson. Public and media questions can be submitted prior to the event by going online at www.125.edu , then click on "Schedule of Events." Some of the questions will be selected for the conversation with Jackson.

Jackson grew up in Williston, N.D., before moving on to take classes and play basketball at UND. Recruited by Bill Fitch, who also would move on to a career in NBA coaching, Jackson earned consecutive All-American honors at UND for his performance on the hardwood. An unorthodox, left-handed hook shot helped him to average nearly 27.5 points per game during his senior year. Jackson was also a standout baseball player.