Former NBA star J.R. Smith OKed by NCAA for collegiate golf
Fred Jeter | 9/2/2021, 6 p.m.
J.R. Smith is trading in his sneakers for a pair of golf spikes.
The former NBA forward (2004 to 2020) has enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University and is eligible to play golf for the Aggies.
The HBCU in Greensboro will open its season Friday, Sept. 24, in the Black College Coaches Association tournament in Newnan, Ga.
Smith likely will rank among the nation’s tallest college golf- ers at 6-foot-6, and most likely the oldest at age 35.
The New Jersey native never played college basketball. After committing to the University of North Carolina, he opted for the NBA. In 2004, he was the 18th overall pick in the NBA draft first round by the New Orleans Hornets.
Smith helped win NBA titles with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
He averaged 12.4 points and 3.1 rebounds for his career and in 2013 was named Sixth Man of the Year.
North Carolina A&T now competes in the Big South Confer- ence after long runs in the CIAA and MEAC. Smith is listed on the Aggies’ current roster.
