Two-time NBA champion J.R. Smith is making a return to school. The retired player is enrolling at the North Carolina A&T State University to further his education in liberal studies, while also hoping to play for the school’s men’s golf team.
Just 20 years ago, the retired NBA athlete had committed to the University of North Carolina but decided to forgo the college basketball route and entered the 2004 NBA draft. Smith recently spoke to a local news station about his decision to pursue higher education at this point in his post-NBA career.
Smith said, “One of the best liberal studies programs is at A&T and it just so happens I’ve got deep roots in Carolina with Chris Paul, C.J. Paul. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in school. I’m excited though. It’s new challenge. I’ve got nothing but free time right now. Between raising kids and going to school, my schedule is pretty full.”
When asked about his hopes to join the university’s golf team, Smith discussed learning the game from Basketball Hall of Famer Moses Malone, “Golf is one of those games that can have you feeling really high or it can bring you down to your knees and humble you. To have that feeling and knowing that all of the game is pretty much on my own hands and I don’t have to worry about teammates to pass the ball to, receiving passes and playing defense — I can just play my game and have fun.”
In the past, J.R. Smith was often seen on the golf course during his off-season, as well as playing with other Nike athletes like Bubba Watson and Rory McIlroy. It appears that golf might be the next best fit for the retired NBA star and potentially, soon-to-be golf champ.
The 35-year-old J.R. Smith is enrolling at North Carolina A&T State University to pursue a degree in liberal studies and also is waiting on the NCAA and to sort out his eligibility so he can join the Aggies’ golf team. https://t.co/jiROvIapCm
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 11, 2021
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