J.R. Smith had an extremely fun NBA career arc. Coming straight out of high school into the league ahead of the 2004-2005 season, and last playing with the Los Angeles Lakers championship team in the bubble in 2020, he’s pretty much seen it all.
He was one of the premier sixth men in the league during his time with the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks. His rare combination of elite athleticism and ability to get hot from downtown made him a draw every night.
Smith’s most recent (in)famous moment came in the 2018 NBA Finals, when he dribbled out the clock in Game 1 while the score was tied.
He didn’t play in the league this past year, and will reportedly be focusing his athletic interests* on the golf world. Smith isn’t trying to make the PGA Tour though—he’s hoping to compete for a university squad at the age of 35.
The former NBA guard has officially enrolled at North Carolina A&T, where he will pursue a degree in liberal studies. His eligibility to actually appear on the course for the university is another question though. The NCAA will have to obtain and review Smith’s transcript from high school in the early 2000’s, to see if he is eligible to appear.
"Very special. I can't wait to be part of an HBCU Family." great to talk with @TheRealJRSmith here at @WyndhamChamp Pro-Am. Smith is enrolling at @ncatsuaggies (went to NBA straight from HS) and hopes to get NCAA Clearance to play on the @NCATAGGIES Golf Team. @WFMY #wfmysports pic.twitter.com/GzWuiVb95Q
— Brian Hall (@bhallwfmy) August 11, 2021
Somewhat surprisingly, Smith’s grades and coursework at St. Benedict’s Prep appear to be more of a factor in his ability to participate than his age or his professional basketball career. The NCAA doesn’t allow athletes who competed in a sport professionally to play that same sport on an amateur level. However, since Smith never did play golf professionally, he can technically receive four years of eligibility to compete for A&T if cleared.
“He’s former professional athlete, but it’s a unique set of circumstances,” A&T golf coach Richard Watkins stated. “He didn’t go to college, never matriculated, the clock never started.” Via ESPN.com
Smith’s interest in golf has been clear for a few years. He caddied for professional golfer Jason Day at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in 2017, and loves the different type of challenge the sport provides.
“And to have that feeling and knowing that all of the game’s pretty much on my own hands, and I don’t have to worry about teammates to pass the ball and receiving passes and playing defense, so I can play my game and just have fun,” the former shooting guard admitted. Via CNN.com
Smith’s golf handicap is five, which is considered pretty impressive. For entertainment purposes, it would be great to see him perform on the green. With new NIL rules in place for college athletes, it might open the door for older, retired professional players to try their hand at sports they’ve fallen in love with later in life.
