A man wrongly imprisoned for nine years will finally don his cap and gown at New York University's commencement ceremony Wednesday.

Kian Khatibi, 35, languished in state prisons throughout his 20s for a crime he didn't commit, turning his aspirations of getting an undergraduate degree and going to law school into nothing but a dream.

But his hopes became a reality after his brother confessed to the brutal assault, allowing Khatibi to walk free three years ago.

"I had no idea that I had a promising future ahead of me," Khatibi told the Daily News. "I thought the system was so hardened on me and my place in life was all set - and then everything changed for the better."

Khatibi will join thousands of New York University students at Yankee Stadium to hear ex-President Bill Clinton address the graduating class of 2011.

His relatives will be cheering him on, as will members of the faculty who taught him to thrive after his sentence was dismissed and he got a second shot at life.

"I never thought I would have this great opportunity to succeed, and that makes it a much more wonderful experience," he said.

"After I was released, that's when I realized that I had a blank slate again. I had a second chance."

Khatibi was 22 when a disturbance broke out at a bar in Pleasantville, Westchester County, and he was ordered to leave.

His brother, Kayvan, was also in the watering hole, but the two were not together.

A man was stabbed in the street outside and almost died, and another patron was injured.

Both victims testified that Khatibi had attacked them, and he was sentenced to seven to 14 years behind bars, never aware his sibling was the real perpetrator.

"I had been at Westchester Community College when I went into jail," Khatibi said. "I tried to educate myself inside, and my only thought when I got out was it would be great to pick up where I left off."

Khatibi was released on his birthday in 2008, and life has been a series of adjustments. He strives not to be bitter - focusing intensely on making something out of his life - and he remains determined to give back to the community that helped him move on.

He also cut all ties with his brother, who could not be tried for the crime since the five-year statute of limitations had expired.

"You're launched into this cruel but beautiful world," Khatibi said. "It's a new beginning, and it was wonderful but hurt at the same time."

Khatibi transferred from Westchester Community College to NYU's Steinhardt School of Education and completed his undergraduate degree as a media, culture and communications major.

His sights are set on law school, and he wants to be a civil rights or public service attorney.

"You can never get back the time you lose, but I've tried to work harder so I can make the best out of a bad situation," he said. "I can't say where I'd be if this didn't happen, but I'm going to keep going forward."