
J.R. Smith Enrolling at North Carolina A&T State University, Set to Join Golf Team
J.R. Smith Enrolling at North Carolina A&T State University, Set to Join Golf Team
It is never too late to go to college and a former NBA player will be doing so following a successful career in the sport after spurning collegiate athletics for a professional spot.
According to PGA Tour, former NBA champion J.R. Smith who is now retired is not only enrolling in an HBCU (Historically Black College and University), he will also be pursuing a chance to become a student-athlete as he sets his sight on joining the school’s golf team.
The 35-year-old former basketball player who has won championships with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers is enrolling at North Carolina A&T State University to pursue a degree in liberal studies. Smith is slated to start classes on Aug. 18. He is waiting on the NCAA to sort out his eligibility so he can join the Aggies’ golf team.
College signing day for @TheRealJRSmith.
The two-time @NBA champ is enrolling @NCATAggies with his sights set on the golf team.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 11, 2021
North Carolina A&T State University announced the news on their Twitter feed.
Welcoming former NBA Champion JR Smith to the Aggie Family! @TheRealJRSmith
JR Smith will be attending North Carolina A&T State University this fall to pursue a degree in Liberal Studies.
He is also awaiting NCAA eligibility confirmation to join the Aggie Golf Team. # pic.twitter.com/4n2qc0Lddu
— NC A&T Men’s Basketball (@ncatmbb) August 12, 2021
According to ESPN, Smith told reporters at the pro-am at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina that he decided to go back to school after having a conversation with NBA Hall of Famer Ray Allen.
“Ray Allen kind of convinced me,” Smith said Wednesday at the golf event. “We had a little golf trip in [the Dominican Republic] and he was talking about some of the things he was doing, about going back to school and challenging yourself for us athletes. I really took heed to it and decided to go back — and one of the best liberal studies programs is at A&T.”
J.R. Smith Enrolling at North Carolina A&T State University, Set to Join Golf Team