Now, instead of first-class cross-country travel for nightly games against the worlds best basketball players, Smith who turns 36 next month is focused on completing class assignments and working on his golf game. Did you encounter any technical issues? Its going to be fun. Smith went right to the NBA after high school, so he missed out on the college experience. 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. Smith is not the only one celebrating his accomplishments, as his former teammate LeBron James has chimed in as well. BURLINGTON, N.C. J.R. Smith couldnt help but feel anxious. That, in and of itself, is success. Check out the best photos of Smiths time as a college golfer. According to the school, All A&T golfers must qualify for each tournament in practice unless the golfer finishes first or second on the team in the previous tournament, and Smith qualified for the Phoenix Invitational by one stroke. 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. Its going to be fun, Smith said Monday in an online news conference. The most famous collegiate golfer plays at North Carolina A&T: J.R. Smith. [It was] a learning experience, he said. GOLF.com and GOLF Magazine are published by EB GOLF MEDIA LLC, a division of 8AM GOLF, Two-time NBA champ J.R. Smith is officially taking his talents to college golf. ", YESSIR @TheRealJRSmith!! Zak is a writer at GOLF Magazine, currently working on a book about the summer he spent in St. Andrews. Whatever you do, dont go rushing to conclusions about Smiths game. Smith walked off the course tied for 79th after eight bogeys, two double bogeys, two birdies and six pars. The athlete known to hoops fans as JR Swish is the first male golfer to sign a brand ambassador deal with Lululemon. 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. (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. Elons Pedro Rabadan led after the first 18 holes with a 6-under 65. 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. JR Smith will get a chance to shoot his shot. Smith earned a 4.0 GPA while pursuing a degree in liberal studies and competing on the golf team. @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 news comes a week after apparel brand Lululemon signed Smith to be its golf ambassador through a name, image and likeness deal. 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. The 2-time NBA Champion is now a freshman walk-on for the North Carolina A&T mens golf team.. J.R. Smith played in the pro-am at the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. 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. I was, he said. Smith said thats exactly what he wants from his delayed college experience. 2023 Cable News Network. For those thinking Smiths time in Greensboro is a publicity stunt or that the former NBA star is taking someones place, dont get it twisted. Love bro https://t.co/gqwOLnlcdw. Although hes had experience of playing in some of basketballs biggest moments in front of millions of people, Smith admitted he was nervous before teeing off. 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. 5 spot on North Carolina A&T's team, made two birdies and two doubles in his first five holes of play on Monday. Smith hung in there strong for 10 holes, and was in the middle of the pack on the leaderboard at just one over before things took a turn for the worse. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard played professionally for a host of NBA teams, winning NBA titles with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. 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 | Then along came the virus. 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. -via ESPN / April 26, 2022, LeBron James: YESSIR @TheRealJRSmith !! In the second round, we saw much of the same from the first round: a solid start followed by a leaky finish. Published Smith made six The two-time NBA champion finished 81st out of 84 in his first competitive college tournament back in He played cleanly enough toward the end to finish with a 78 to move up the a couple spots on the leaderboard. The grip on the club changes, and we get to see who you really are.. 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. Smith, who qualified to play in the No. Proud of you Kid!!! Until then, Smith will be busy juggling school work most of his courses are online currently and working on his golf game. The two-time NBA champion is returning to the state where he was originally slated to play college basketball. In January, Smith signed an NIL deal with Excel Sports Management. It is no surprise he has penned NIL deals, as Smith has grown in popularity as a college golfer after his time spent in the NBA. Smith has documented his journey in college on Twitter, being open and honest about the struggles of balancing everything. Elons Pedro Rabadan led after the first 18 holes with a I didnt really know what to expect., Despite Smiths up-and-down rounds, former teammate and NBA superstar LeBron James expressed his admiration for the debutant golfer. Straight school work when youre not used to going to school and doing all that sh*t oh man.. But, put meaning to it, and the heart rate changes. Interestingly, Smith was paired with Pedro Rabadan of Elon, who leads the event after Day 1. Now, in his second semester So happy and proud of you my brother @TheRealJRSmith!!!! "I can't even describe the feeling," he said. Smith, who spent 16 years in the NBA, made his college golfing debut in the tournament hosted by Elon. Had a pair of birdies, a great chip and stuck his approach on No. The thought of studying for some pointless accounting final as an English major still haunts my dreams, especially as an adult with adult aches, pains, and responsibilities. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images), Former NBA player J.R. Smith gets a word of encouragement from head coach Richard Watkins of, Former NBA player J.R. Smith gets a word of encouragement from head coach Richard Watkins of the North Carolina A&T Aggies during the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club on October 11, 2021 in Burlington, North Carolina. So it all correlates the same for me.. Instead the buzz centered around the Elon Phoenix Invitational, an innocuous college golf tournament turned viral epicenter thanks to the NCAA golf debut of two-time NBA champion J.R. Smith. Smith, 36, enrolled at North 6-keys: media/spln/golf/reg/free/stories, at J.R. Smith Made His College Golf Debut and it Was Pretty Fascinating Morning Read's Ward Clayton was there when the 36-year-old former NBA star shot an Its not Rose Zhang at Stanford or Pierceson Coody at Texas, two of the best college players on the planet. Pulling up to the range at my first college tournament! Smith, a 9 to within a foot from the pin. Smith hung in there strong for 10 holes, and was in the middle of the pack on the leaderboard at just one over before things took a turn for the worse. 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). RELATED: J.R. Smith finally played Pine Valleyand then bought the entire pro shop. After retiring from basketball the35-year-old decided to enroll at North Carolina A&T and walk on as a freshman. After Smith was named Academic Athlete of the Year, James tweeted, "YESSIR @TheRealJRSmith!! 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Instead, he chose to enter the 2004 NBA draft and was picked by the then-New Orleans Hornets at No. 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. Start the Golf Season off right with InsideGOLF ($100 value - just $20). (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images), J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies watches his shot during the Phoenix Invitational at, J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies watches his shot during the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club on October 11, 2021 in Burlington, North Carolina. Make fun of his liberal studies major all you want, but how many 4.0 semesters did you pull down? if his first semester report card is any indication, he meant it. Now, in his second semester at the HBCU, the two-time NBA champion is already earning accolades in the classroom. Hes already started classes, relating his experiences via his Twitter feed. J.R. Smith's hard work this year has paid off. The former NBA player turned college student athlete was named North Carolina A&T's Academic Athlete of the Year. Smith earned a 4.0 GPA while pursuing a degree in liberal studies and competing on the golf team. The 36-year-old former NBA star responded to the news with a smile emoji. We wouldnt pick apart your abilities based off one single round, so dont do that to him. 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. 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. College signing day for @TheRealJRSmith. He scored more than 12,000 regular-season points while playing for five NBA teams. (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. On Monday, the 36-year-old -- who was originally slated to play basketball at North Carolina before jumping from St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, New Jersey, to the NBA draft in 2004 -- was named the Aggies' Academic Athlete of the Year. Beginning his career as a sportswriter, Benner then served with the Pacers for 28 years, retiring last season. 18. Smith, 35, played 16 seasons in the NBA but is hoping to play golf in college. One of the coolest non-tour golf stories of the year belongs to J.R. Smith. However, on the home stretch, things took a turn for the worse as he made six consecutive bogeys and then a double bogey on his 17th hole before finishing with another bogey to shoot a 10-over 81. 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 Smith first revealed that he was excelling in the classroom at the end of the fall semester. 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. "I'm hoping it does not affect him. 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. pic.twitter.com/WlCNZ8cCvk, followed @TheRealJRSmith for the first five holes today in his first tournament as a member of the @NCATAGGIES Golf Team. Here are your options. JR Smith analyzes his yardage book during his first collegiate golf tournament Monday. All Rights Reserved. Masters: Wanna play Augusta National? In January, Smith signed with Excel Sports Management for NIL representation. Smith is excelling both athletically and academically at North Carolina A&T J.R. Smith's hard work this year has paid off. The former NBA player turned college student athlete was named North Carolina A&T's Academic Athlete of the Year. Smith earned a 4.0 GPA while pursuing a degree in liberal studies and competing on the golf team. Smith, 36, enrolled at North Carolina A&T; on Aug. 11, pursuing a degree in liberal studies with the intention of joining the golf team while awaiting a decision from the NCAA regarding his eligibility. The NCAA bars athletes from competing in college sports if theyve played in the pro ranks, but the rules only apply to the sport the player made money in professionally. 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