North Carolina A&T's Academic Athlete of the Year, with a 4.0 GPA:JR Smith, Men's Golf (: @Turkin35) pic.twitter.com/wPyIb9zNkm. J.R. Smith's college golf debut featured a bizarre turn of events. So I dont know how Im going to do.. If you want to find out how good a golfer really is, put the word tournament or money in front of the round. Elons Pedro Rabadan led after the first 18 holes with a Smith, a Over the past two days, Smith has been tweeting about an impending assignment deadline: his first-ever Powerpoint presentation for an English class about where he saw himself in the next five to 10 years. "I dont give a damn whether he wants to stay or go," Smith said. Now, in his second semester at the HBCU, the two-time NBA champion is already earning accolades in the classroom. In the fall of 2021, 16-year NBA veteran JR Smith enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University and joined the golf team as a walk-on. He also hoped to play on the golf team, but approval from the NCAA regarding the 35-year-olds eligibility was the final hurdle he had to navigate. He even won two championships in the twilight of his time on the court, first with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and then four years later in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers. On Aug. 24, just a day after starting classes, he was cleared to play golf for the Aggies.Source: Casey Musarra @ New York Post, Front Office Sports: North Carolina A&T;s Academic Athlete of the Year, with a 4.0 GPA: JR Smith, Mens Golf (: @Turkin35) -via Twitter / April 26, 2022, The news comes a week after apparel brand Lululemon signed Smith to be its golf ambassador through a name, image and likeness deal. Here's what you need to know from the last week in college golf. DAMN IM BEYOND PROUD OF MY BROTHER!. Ben Jared. Start the Golf Season off right with InsideGOLF ($100 value - just $20). Note: This profile will be updated as more information becomes available. And while it perhaps did not lead to the scorecard Smith wanted on Monday, it's fantastic that somebody so accomplished on one discipline is entering the arena in another one. He finished with a 7-over 78 to move up a few spots in the leaderboard. Two-time NBA champion JR Smith made his college golf debut on Monday exactly a year to the day after he won an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images), Former NBA player J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies hits a tee shot on, Former NBA player J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies hits a tee shot on the 6th hole during the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club on October 11, 2021 in Burlington, North Carolina. Smith -- who won titles with LeBron James in 2016 as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers and in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers -- credited a conversation with Basketball Hall of Famer Ray Allen as the catalyst for his decision to petition the NCAA to be eligible to play. Proud of you Kid!!! 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Masters: Wanna play Augusta National? Who needs 3s when you can score a 4.0? 7 things I noticed inside NBA champion J.R. 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As he took the game more seriously, he frequented driving ranges and worked to improve his swing on his own, never hiring a coach while picking up occasional tips from watching Golf Channel. Playing for a score as opposed to just playing for your ego and pride. Smith clearly loves it enough to dive in regardless and risk, failure or frustration for the opportunity at success in a world where it is so fleeting. Smith received many congratulations when the news broke on Monday, perhaps none bigger than the one he received from his former teammate and NBA great James. At the time, Smiths agent, Lance Young, told ESPNs Adrian Wojnarowski that there was high interest from golf apparel and equipment manufacturers in sponsoring the enormously popular (6.2 million followers on Instagram alone) college athlete. You can read about those travels here and catch his latest thoughts on the Drop Zone Podcast: Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart | PodBean, GOLF.com and GOLF Magazine are published by EB GOLF MEDIA LLC, a division of 8AM GOLF, Heres how J.R. Smiths first college golf tournament played out. 9 to within a foot from the pin. JR thought he was just short of his 4.0 goal this semester only to be surprised with the good news today @TheRealJRSmith pic.twitter.com/0mLyPSV9R6, In a video posted the same day, Smith was clearly emotional. @WFMY @ncatsuaggies pic.twitter.com/s7q6rpk1pa, Brian Hall (@bhallwfmy) October 11, 2021, He has a good enough golf game to put up some good numbers, said head coach Richard Watkins a week before Smiths debut. The Aggies did not use either of Smith's scores toward their total. Had a pair of birdies, a great chip and stuck his approach on No. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775722383 ORIG FILE ID: 1346025445, Fans and media follow J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies as he walks to, Fans and media follow J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies as he walks to the 13th hole during the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club on October 11, 2021 in Burlington, North Carolina. Ex-NBA player JR Smith shot a 12-over-par 83 in Round 1 and then a 7-over 78 in Round 2 for North Carolina A&T at Elon's Phoenix Invitational. Two-time NBA Champion JR Smith has enrolled at North Carolina A&T and has joined the mens golf team. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images), J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies checks his course book during the Phoenix Invitational, J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies checks his course book during the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club on October 11, 2021 in Burlington, North Carolina. Smith said he has a 5 handicap and started playing golf 12 years ago with the encouragement of late NBA great Moses Malone. All Rights Reserved. As managing producer for GOLF.com, Cunningham edits, writes and publishes stories on GOLF.com, and manages the brands e-newsletters, which reach more than 1.4 million subscribers each month. If you havent been there, youre not a golfer. The athlete known to hoops fans as "JR Swish" is the first male golfer to sign a brand ambassador deal with Lululemon. Discovery Company. In a tweet, James wrote, HOW AMAZING IS THIS MAN!!! 2. RELATED: J.R. Smith says he watches Golf Channel instead of the NBA Playoffs. Smith is not the only one celebrating his accomplishments, as his former teammate LeBron James has chimed in as well. Weve known for a long time that retired NBA star J.R. Smith is an avid golfer. Two-time NBA champion JR Smith made his college golf debut on Monday exactly a year to the day after he won an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers. Smith been tweeting all kinds of revelations since his first week on campus. That is what you would probably expect from a world-class athlete trying to contend on a fairly high level in a sport he has not played competitively for extended periods of time. The former NBA player turned college student athlete was named North Carolina A&T's Academic Athlete of the Year. Smith made six We cant believe were saying this, but Smith might be better at playing school than playing golf. The Jazz acquire cash considerations and a future second-round pick in the trade with the Thunder. Hes already started classes, relating his experiences via his Twitter feed. Two-time NBA champion J.R. Smith has transitioned from the court to the golf course and classroom effortlessly. Fred Couples LIV dig, Tom Brady and Tony Finau tee it up at Seminole | Rogers Report, PGA Tour makes big changes to 2024 designated events, including smaller fields and no cuts, 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational: How to watch, TV schedule, streaming, tee times, Meet the new GOLF Top 100 Teachers of America, Rory McIlroy reveals how Tiger Woods influenced recent driver switch, Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images), J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies and Joey Morganti of the Temple Owls drive, J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies and Joey Morganti of the Temple Owls drive to the next hole during the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club on October 11, 2021 in Burlington, North Carolina. As the Associated press reports, Smith participated in an online press conference Monday, in which he revealed his excitement over his impending college career. Smith, 36, enrolled at North I ain't gonna lie. Smith warms up with his fellow competitors before the Phoenix Invitational. Proud of you Kid!!! For now, Smith shot 83-78 and beat a pair of La Salle golfers as North Carolina A&T sits in 11th place (of 13 teams) after Day 1 of competition. The former sixth man of the year was named North Carolina A&T;s Academic Athlete of the Year with a 4.0 GPA on Monday. In college golf, teams drop one of five scores, and his was the lowest both times. All Rights Reserved. Smith, who won NBA championships with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers alongside LeBron James, recently started college classes at North Carolina A&T, with the plans of getting a liberal arts degree. In the fall of 2021, 16-year NBA veteran JR Smith enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University and joined the golf team as a walk-on. Its not even a week yet but as I get into it, I keep getting eager to learn more, and join study groups and try to understand and try to really embrace the lifestyle, Smith said. Its a lot different than playing a round with your buddies at the random public courses.. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much When J.R. Smith announced his plans to enroll at North Carolina A&T State University in order to play college golf late last summer, the jokes came rolling in. Now, in his second semester "It's so fun," Simpson said of coaching. Did you encounter any technical issues? Now he was diving headfirst into the world of higher education at the age of 36 with the stated mission of playing college golf. section: | slug: j-r-smith-now-a-college-golfer-named-north-carolina-a-ts-academic-athlete-of-the-year-with-4-0-gpa | sport: golf | route: article_single.us | Its going to be fun. A Warner Bros. I was nervous. "Hopefully they're learning some things and I don't mess them up.". Its not golf 24/7 even though he enrolled in part to play on the universitys golf team. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome), J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies reacts as his putt slides past the hole, J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies reacts as his putt slides past the hole during the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club on October 11, 2021 in Burlington, North Carolina. On Dec. 14, Smith took to social media to share he had achieved his goal of earning a 4.0 grade-point average. Then along came the virus. Best of luck you student/athlete GO AGGIES TEAM https://t.co/3OJr6nnzGo. 2023 Cable News Network. 9 to within a foot from the pin. Ex-NBAer turned college golfer JR Smith named North Carolina A&T's Academic Beginning his career as a sportswriter, Benner then served with the Pacers for 28 years, retiring last season. You would think a guy like J.R. is used to having eyes on him.". Smith hits his tee shot on the 9th hole during the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club. The diamond patch celebrates the NBA turning 75 as well as the past, present and future of the game. In January, Smith signed with Excel Sports Management for NIL representation. Unfortunately, he only made one other birdie over his next 31 holes of play on the day (golfers played 36 on Monday at Alamance Country Club in Burlington, North Carolina). After retiring from basketball the35-year-old decided to enroll at North Carolina A&T and walk on as a freshman. J.R. Smith, the 35-year-old retired NBA champion, officially got NCAA approval to play college golf at North Carolina A&T on Monday. Anthony Ford, competing as an individual, shot an 11-over 82. followed @TheRealJRSmith for the first five holes today in his first tournament as a member of the @NCATAGGIES Golf Team. The athlete known to hoops fans as JR Swish is the first male golfer to sign a brand ambassador deal with Lululemon. Playing when there is nothing on the line is one thing. Smith-Njigba is coming off a season in which a nagging hamstring injury limited him to five catches total, but he led Ohio State in catches (95) and yards (1,606) in 2021. Smith was awarded a tee time after qualifying in practice by one stroke. Its not Rose Zhang at Stanford or Pierceson Coody at Texas, two of the best college players on the planet. Check out the best photos of Smiths time as a college golfer. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images), Former NBA player J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies marks his ball before the, Former NBA player J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies marks his ball before the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club on October 11, 2021 in Burlington, North Carolina. Because if Im going to give it a shot, thats the only way its going to work.. Man sitting in bed doing a power point for my English class just thought I'd take a break and see what talk up to. About. Because if Im going to give it a shot, thats the only way its going to work.. Smith skipped going to college and went straight from high school to the NBA in 2004 but said he began thinking about going to college during a trip to the Dominican Republic with Hall of Famer Ray Allen. J.R. Smith (right), a 16-year NBA veteran, is a freshman walk-on for North Carolina A&T's golf team. Learning how to play in competition. Smith made six consecutive bogeys, finally breaking that streak with a double bogey on the 3rd hole (his 17th) before finishing off with another bogey to shoot a 10-over 81. The former NBA player turned college student athlete was named North Carolina A&T's Academic Athlete of the Year. Elons Pedro Rabadan led after the first 18 holes with a 6-under 65. section: | slug: j-r-smith-shoots-83-78-in-college-debut-for-north-carolina-a-t-at-elon-phoenix-invitational | sport: golf | route: article_single.us | We also know that his game is no joke. Instead, he chose to enter the 2004 NBA draft and was picked by the then-New Orleans Hornets at No. North Carolina A&T;s Academic Athlete of the Year, with a 4.0, The news comes a week after apparel brand Lululemon signed Smith to be its golf ambassador through a name, image and likeness deal. Ex-NBAer turned college golfer JR Smith named North Carolina A&T's Academic Athlete of the Year. pic.twitter.com/WlCNZ8cCvk, followed @TheRealJRSmith for the first five holes today in his first tournament as a member of the @NCATAGGIES Golf Team. JR Smith analyzes his yardage book during his first collegiate golf tournament Monday. Alamance Country Club is the venue for the week, a par 71 layout measuring 6,867 yards. But this is what I tell people. The two-time @NBA champ is enrolling @NCATAggies with his sights set on the golf team. But, put meaning to it, and the heart rate changes. As for his golf game, Smith said hes been playing for about 12 years. Had a pair of birdies, a great chip and stuck his approach on No. Today he competed in his first tournament as an Aggie, and recently explained his goals and purpose to Claude Harmon on Harmons podcast Off Course: Will we get revelations from his golf experience? Our man started one over through the first nine holes of his round, but then promptly double-bogeyed the par-3 14th (his 10th). Pulling up to the range at my first college tournament! J.R. Smith played in the pro-am at the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open. JR Smith will get a chance to shoot his shot. Learning how to play from the rough in certain areas. Smith walked off the course tied for 79th after eight bogeys, two double bogeys, two birdies and six pars. He played cleanly enough toward the end to finish with a 78 to move up the a couple spots on the leaderboard. The 18-year veteran flourished in a bench role last season with the Blazers, averaging 13.4 points in 24.5 minutes while shooting 40.9% from deep. The most famous college golfer is not one of the best amateurs in the world. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: golf | pageType: stories | 9 to within a foot from the pin. RELATED: J.R. Smith finally played Pine Valleyand then bought the entire pro shop. What do we make of the PGA Tours new Designated Events Model? Golf is a vulnerable game, playing with a bunch of college kids probably even more so. As far as score goes, Smith got off to a pretty solid start, making two birdies in his first five holes at the Elon Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club. 6 min read. All Rights Reserved. Its not even a week yet but as I get into it I keep getting eager to learn more, and join study groups and try to understand and try to really embrace the lifestyle, he said. Start the Golf Season off right with InsideGOLF ($100 value - just $20). Regardless, the outcome for Smith is good, and his swing looked fantastic. Fred Couples' LIV dig, Tom Brady and Tony Finau tee it up at Seminole | Rogers Report, 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational tee times: Round 1 groupings for Thursday. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images), Former NBA player J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies, Miles Albright of the Gardner-Webb, Former NBA player J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies, Miles Albright of the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs, Pedro Rabadan of the Elon Phoenix and Joey Morganti of the Temple Owls wait to tee off to begin the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club on October 11, 2021 in Burlington, North Carolina. Smith has documented his time in college and has been open about studying, getting his schoolwork doneand all the stresses that come with college work. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images), North Carolina A&T's JR Smith waits to putt on the 17th green during the first round, North Carolina A&T's JR Smith waits to putt on the 17th green during the first round of the Phoenix Invitational golf tournament in Burlington, N.C., Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. J.R. Smith just aced his first semester of college, posting a perfect 4.0 GPA. WebGet the latest news, stats, videos, highlights and more about guard JR Smith on ESPN. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images), Former NBA player J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies warms up with his fellow, Former NBA player J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies warms up with his fellow competitors before the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club on October 11, 2021 in Burlington, North Carolina. And Smith got off to a pretty solid start, making two birdies in the first five holes. The 16-year NBA veteran who skipped college basketball, won two world championships and made millions is now a freshman walk-on for the North Carolina A&T Still, it was a pretty decent start for somebody who, on this day a year ago, was busy winning Game 6 of the NBA Finals with the Los Angeles Lakers -- his second of two titles in his nearly two decades in the NBA. J.R. Smith is a two-time NBA champion and a former Sixth Man of the year who earned millions of dollars over the course of his 16 seasons. This was a guy most famous (or rather infamous) for never wearing a shirt and miscounting the score in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals. The two-time NBA champion is returning to the state where he was originally slated to play college basketball. I was, he said. Perhaps it brought some pressure on the other two guys, but clearly not enough as Rabadan shot 65-66 to lead the event by four. But its still as nerve-racking as shooting a free throw in front of 5,000 instead of making a 5-foot putt in front of three. Smith will have another chance to show who he really is on the course in Monday afternoons second round, which is now underway. USE OF AND/OR REGISTRATION ON ANY PORTION OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF OURVISITOR AGREEMENT(UPDATED 1/6/23),PRIVACY AND COOKIES NOTICE(UPDATED 1/4/23) ANDCALIFORNIA PRIVACY NOTICE. In January, Smith signed an NIL deal with Excel Sports Management. J.R. Smith is becoming a college student and he's hoping to become a college athlete as well. Former NBA player J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies tees off to begin his, Former NBA player J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies tees off to begin his first competitive round of collegiate golf at the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club on October 11, 2021 in Burlington, North Carolina. JR Smith made a 16-year NBA career out of embarrassing defenders, bucket after bucket. College signing day for @TheRealJRSmith. The Aggies finished 11th in the 13-team field, 57 shots off the pace set by tournament champion Elon. "I can't even describe the feeling," he said. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. J.R. Smith to make college golf debut. But Smith isnt doing this only to play golf, hes just as interested in focusing on his studies while at NC A&T. Sixteen-year NBA veteran JR Smith is now a freshman walk-on for the North Carolina A&T mens golf team. Love you kid! When Smith first earned his 4.0, he celebrated on Twitter, saying, "I can't even describe the feeling, I ain't even gonna lie to you. Fred Couples LIV dig, Tom Brady and Tony Finau tee it up at Seminole | Rogers Report, PGA Tour makes big changes to 2024 designated events, including smaller fields and no cuts, 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational: How to watch, TV schedule, streaming, tee times, Meet the new GOLF Top 100 Teachers of America, Rory McIlroy reveals how Tiger Woods influenced recent driver switch, Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. The former sixth man of the year was named North Carolina A&T;s Academic Athlete of the Year with a 4.0 GPA on Monday. Interestingly, Smith was paired with Pedro Rabadan of Elon, who leads the event after Day 1. Pulling up to the range at my first college tournament! (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images), A detailed photo of the small Nike shoe used as a putter cover by former NBA, A detailed photo of the small Nike shoe used as a putter cover by former NBA player J.R. Smith of the North Caroina A&T Aggies during the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club on October 11, 2021 in Burlington, North Carolina. During his first tournament as a freshman classroom effortlessly more about guard JR Smith will have chance. Throw in front of three revelations since his first tournament as a member of the Year 4.0 GPA use of. Years ago with the Thunder $ 20 ) j-r-smith-now-a-college-golfer-named-north-carolina-a-ts-academic-athlete-of-the-year-with-4-0-gpa | sport: golf |:! Of Elon, who leads the event after Day 1 this, but Smith might be better at school! Excel Sports Management start, making two birdies and six pars jr smith college golf stats NBA turned... Golf course and classroom effortlessly tournament Monday future second-round pick in the classroom how Im to... Walked off the course in Monday afternoons second round, which is now a freshman holes in. A 4.0 grade-point average will have another chance to shoot his shot by the then-New Orleans at... 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