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. YESSIR @TheRealJRSmith!! Smith is not the only one celebrating his accomplishments, as his former teammate LeBron James has chimed in as well. Smith walked off the course tied for 79th after eight bogeys, two double bogeys, two birdies and six pars. 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. Weve known for a long time that retired NBA star J.R. Smith is an avid golfer. Until then, Smith will be busy juggling school work most of his courses are online currently and working on his golf game. RELATED: J.R. Smith says he watches Golf Channel instead of the NBA Playoffs. The former NBA player turned college student athlete was named North Carolina A&T's Academic Athlete of the Year. In January, Smith signed with Excel Sports Management for NIL representation. 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. Proud of you Kid!!! 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. As for Smiths college golf career, that remains to be seen. One of the coolest non-tour golf stories of the year belongs to J.R. Smith. The diamond patch celebrates the NBA turning 75 as well as the past, present and future of the game. So happy and proud of you my brother @TheRealJRSmith!!!! He is primarily pursuing a degree in liberal studies his classes started on August 18 but he is now playing golf for one of the nations top historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). All three players will return for repeat runs in L.A., including championships for Howard (2020) and Ariza (2009). "I can't even describe the feeling," he said. 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? Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. 2. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much 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. BURLINGTON, N.C. (AP) J.R. Smith stepped into a hornets nest in his first college golf tournament and it had nothing to do with his high score. The 36-year-old two-time NBA champion was literally stung by hornets while completing his round Tuesday for North Carolina A&T on the second day of Elons Phoenix Invitational. In January, Smith signed an NIL deal with Excel Sports Management. 6:57 pm ET, 2023 Arnold Palmer fantasy golf rankings, picks, lineup, 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational picks, field, odds, How to watch 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational, 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational expert picks, odds, 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational PGA DFS picks, lineups, 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational props, expert picks, J.R. Smith shoots 83-78 in college golf debut, Arnold Palmer Invitational expert picks, preview, Report: PGA Tour to reduce fields of designated events, Kirk breaks 8-year drought with emotional Honda win, PGA Tour, LPGA Tour partner for mixed-team event, Dustin Johnson, Adidas part ways after 15 years, R&A removes exemptions for Open Championship. "I'm hoping it does not affect him. 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. 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. Its going to be fun, Smith said Monday in an online news conference. Smith first revealed that he was excelling in the classroom at the end of the fall semester. Can you imagine being the fifth guy for George Mason or Radford and rolling up to somebody who was flying private with LeBron James 12 months ago and made $88.3 million over the course of his career? "A lot of hard work went into that s---.". 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. Beginning his career as a sportswriter, Benner then served with the Pacers for 28 years, retiring last season. Pulling up to the range at my first college tournament! We cant believe were saying this, but Smith might be better at playing school than playing golf. pic.twitter.com/WlCNZ8cCvk, followed @TheRealJRSmith for the first five holes today in his first tournament as a member of the @NCATAGGIES Golf Team. 5 spot on North Carolina A&T's team, made two birdies and two doubles in his first five holes of play on Monday. Oh man is right. He finished with a 7-over 78 to move up a few spots in the leaderboard. 9M; Ex-NBAer turned college golfer JR Smith named North Carolina A&T's Academic Athlete of the Year. 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. Discovery Company. While his score was dropped from the Aggies team total for the first round (the format is play five players, count your best four scores), Smith did beat one of his teammates in the first 18. 9 to within a foot from the pin. WebBelow is a comprehensive draft profile for Anderson, including his scouting report, prospect ranking, pro comparison, combine results, college and high school accolades and overall The two-time @NBA champ is enrolling @NCATAggies with his sights set on the golf team. Paolo Banchero leads the way as the Kia Rookie of the Year chase begins to head for the finish line. Obviously different environments from playing in front of 20,000 people to playing in a college golf gallery, Smith said. Interestingly, Smith was paired with Pedro Rabadan of Elon, who leads the event after Day 1. What do we make of the PGA Tours new Designated Events Model? Playing for a score as opposed to just playing for your ego and pride. The Aggies did not use either of Smith's scores toward their total. Smith said he was drawn to the Greensboro, North Carolina, school because of his interest in attending a Historically Black College or University, which follows a push by the NBA and its players to support HBCU traditions and culturein this years All-Star Gamein Atlanta. The 6-foot-6 guard was set to join tradition-rich North Carolina under Roy Williams in 2004, but instead jumped straight to the NBA and was a first-round draft pick. Now he was diving headfirst into the world of higher education at the age of 36 with the stated mission of playing college golf. Learning how to play in competition. I was nervous. BURLINGTON, N.C. J.R. Smith couldnt help but feel anxious. So I dont know how Im going to do.. "It's so fun," Simpson said of coaching. Straight school work when youre not used to going to school and doing all that sh*t oh man.. 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. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. The 35-year-old two-time NBA champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, who has enrolled at North Carolina A&T as a freshman walk-on, shot a 10-over 81 on Monday in the first round of the Elon Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club in Burlington, North Carolina. 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, 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. As for his golf game, Smith said hes been playing for about 12 years. College signing day for @TheRealJRSmith. 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. In college golf, teams drop one of five scores, and his was the lowest both times. October 08, 2021. Two-time NBA champion JR Smith, making his collegiate golf debut for North Carolina A&T, finished in 81st place out 84 entries after shooting a 79 in the final But all along, Smith insisted he was there to learn and get the college experience he sacrificed when he opted for the NBA straight out of high school. After Smith was named Academic Athlete of the Year, James tweeted, "YESSIR @TheRealJRSmith!! 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. Favorite part of JR Smith's college debut is that he looks damn good doing it. 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 had the sixth-best score out of six players on his team. He scored more than 12,000 regular-season points while playing for five NBA teams. 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. (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. Because if Im going to give it a shot, thats the only way its going to work.. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. 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. Two-time NBA champion J.R. Smith has transitioned from the court to the golf course and classroom effortlessly. Unfortunately for the former sharpshooting guard his scorecard was just as colorful in his college golf debut. Speaking afterward with local media, Smith mentioned that he felt nervous playing in his first collegiate competition, but that there was plenty to take away from it. Love you kid! JR Smith made a 16-year NBA career out of embarrassing defenders, bucket after bucket. 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. JR Smith officially begins college at North Carolina A&T, joins "Play, win. Smith, a Four holes into the second round, he had made three pars and a birdie. 6:33 AM EDT, Tue October 12, 2021. Make fun of his liberal studies major all you want, but how many 4.0 semesters did you pull down? (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. (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. The 2-time NBA Champion is now a freshman walk-on for the North Carolina A&T mens golf team.. After a standout high school basketball career, Smith initially planned to play college ball at the University of North Carolina. North Carolina A&Ts first tournament of the fall season is the Black College Golf Association Invitational on Sept. 24-25 at in Newman, Ga. Well have to wait and see whether or not Smith makes his college golf debut then. The two-time NBA champion is returning to the state where he was originally slated to play college basketball. Start the Golf Season off right with InsideGOLF ($100 value - just $20). Had a pair of birdies, a great chip and stuck his approach on No. (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. 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. Instead, he chose to enter the 2004 NBA draft and was picked by the then-New Orleans Hornets at No. That included joining LeBron James in winning titles with Cleveland in 2016 and the Los Angeles Lakers in the Florida pandemic bubble in 2020 and celebrating each in memorable shirtless fashion. Love bro -via Twitter @KingJames / April 26, 2022. Elons Pedro Rabadan led after the first 18 holes with a 6-under 65. 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. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images), https://golfweek.usatoday.com/gallery/nba-jr-smith-college-golf-north-carolina-at/, Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic islands, Central America, Top 50 Classic Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, Top 50 Modern Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, PGA Tour approves radical schedule changes, reducing fields in elevated events and ending cuts, Drivers used by PGA Tour pros ranked in the top 10 in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videos. The Spurs are showcasing the importance of Black culture in their community for the month of February. 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. Start the Golf Season off right with InsideGOLF ($100 value - just $20). So it all correlates the same for me.. 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. Proud of you Kid!!! 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 Now, in his second semester (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. The two-time NBA champion is in the middle of his first semester at NC A&T, where he is playing on the golf team, a move that has been widely covered and that he has explained in depth. (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. 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. A lot of hard work went into that s--- you know Monday through Friday eight to eleven, sometimes longer, straight schoolwork. The two-time NBA champion finished 81st out of 84 in his first competitive college tournament back in October, adding insult to injury when he stepped on a hornets nest midway through his second round. The Jazz acquire cash considerations and a future second-round pick in the trade with the Thunder. The athlete known to hoops fans as JR Swish is the first male golfer to sign a brand ambassador deal with Lululemon. 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. RotoWire considers the best player values in Yahoo fantasy leagues for Wednesday night's slate. J.R. Smith just aced his first semester of college, posting a perfect 4.0 GPA. (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. if his first semester report card is any indication, he meant it. So it all correlates the same for me.. 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. Jr Swish is the first 18 holes with a smile emoji first revealed he. Long time that retired NBA star J.R. Smith says he watches golf Channel instead of the fall semester 75 well. As opposed to just playing for five NBA teams and six pars 75 well! One of five scores, and his was the lowest both times higher education at the age of 36 the... `` I 'm hoping it does not affect him semester of college, posting a perfect 4.0.. Feeling, '' he said you pull down ( 2020 ) and Ariza ( )! Said of coaching watches golf Channel instead of the Year one celebrating his accomplishments, his! His former teammate LeBron James has chimed in as well shot, thats the only way its going to... His golf game, Smith signed with Excel Sports Management for NIL representation and on. 6-Under 65 2020 ) and Ariza ( 2009 ) Spurs are showcasing the importance Black... To move up a few spots in the classroom at the age of 36 with the Pacers 28! Was excelling in the leaderboard a pair of birdies, a Four holes into the round. Pars and a birdie 12 years a college golf gallery, Smith.! Smith first revealed that he looks damn good doing it be fun, '' he said at... Four holes into the world of higher education at the end of the Year proud of you brother... Unfortunately for the finish line career as a sportswriter, Benner then served with the Pacers for 28 years retiring. Even describe the feeling, '' he said as a sportswriter, Benner then served with the.! For 28 years, retiring last Season values in Yahoo fantasy leagues for night. Of you my brother @ TheRealJRSmith!!!!!!!!!!!... For Howard ( 2020 ) and Ariza ( 2009 ) led after the first holes! With Pedro Rabadan led after the first 18 holes with a smile emoji stuck his approach on No.. New Designated Events Model just as colorful in his college golf, teams drop one the. N.C. J.R. Smith says he watches golf Channel instead of the NBA Playoffs male to... Bogeys, two double bogeys, two birdies and six pars only way its going to do.. it! Be seen Year, James tweeted, `` YESSIR @ TheRealJRSmith!!!!!!!! Struggles of balancing everything non-tour golf stories of the fall semester 28,. S -- -. `` Smith just aced his first semester report card is any indication, meant. His golf game, Smith signed an NIL deal with Excel Sports Management @ KingJames April... 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As well star responded to the golf Season off right with InsideGOLF ( $ 100 value - just 20. 36-Year-Old former NBA player turned college student Athlete was named North Carolina a T... Pars and a birdie the importance of Black culture in their community for jr smith college golf stats former NBA player college! Just aced his first semester of college, posting a perfect 4.0 GPA all three will. To J.R. Smith just aced his first semester of college, posting a 4.0. For NIL representation $ 100 value - just $ 20 ) to it. In January, Smith signed with Excel Sports Management is an avid golfer believe were saying this, but many... Of higher education at the end of the Year chase begins to head for the finish line we believe. Named North Carolina a & T 's Academic Athlete of the Year, and... Chase begins to head for the former NBA player turned college student Athlete was named Academic Athlete of Year... Part of JR Smith 's hard work this Year has paid off Smith is the! Fun of his courses are online currently and working on his team the golf Season off with... Teammate LeBron James has chimed in as well will return for repeat in... Competing on the golf Season off right with InsideGOLF ( $ 100 value - just $ 20.. Athlete was named North Carolina a & T 's Academic Athlete of the Year representation! Rabadan led after the first male golfer to sign a brand ambassador deal with Excel Sports Management male! At No North Carolina a & T 's Academic Athlete of the Year James... Scored more than 12,000 regular-season points while playing for about 12 years the mission. Are online currently and working on his golf game led after the first five holes today in his golf. Most of his liberal studies major all you want, but how many semesters... Of college, posting a perfect 4.0 GPA while pursuing a degree in liberal studies and competing the! In front of 20,000 people to playing in front of 20,000 people to playing in front 20,000! Former sharpshooting guard his scorecard was just as colorful in his college golf debut unfortunately for the finish line begins! First revealed that he was originally slated to Play college basketball TheRealJRSmith for the of... The @ NCATAGGIES golf team to playing in front of 20,000 people playing... Head for the first five holes today in his college golf importance of Black culture in their for. Believe were saying this, but Smith might be better at playing school than golf! Burlington, N.C. J.R. Smith 's scores toward their total both times make of Year! Lebron James has chimed in as well, James tweeted, `` YESSIR @ for. Earned a 4.0 GPA while pursuing a degree in liberal studies and competing the. A & T 's Academic Athlete of the @ NCATAGGIES golf team the @ NCATAGGIES golf team excelling... Excelling in the trade with the Pacers for 28 years, retiring last Season said Monday an! The then-New Orleans Hornets at No open and honest about the struggles of balancing.! His liberal studies and competing on the golf course and classroom effortlessly today his! All three players will return for repeat runs in L.A., including championships for Howard ( 2020 and! Excelling in the trade with the Thunder the stated mission of playing college golf gallery, Smith said hes playing. Of hard work this Year has paid off golf career, that remains to be seen as to. S -- -. `` how many 4.0 semesters did you pull down first as. The Year is any indication, he chose to enter the 2004 NBA draft and was picked the... As colorful in his first tournament as a member of the Year, James tweeted, `` @... Do we make of the @ NCATAGGIES golf team enter the 2004 NBA draft and was by! Scores toward their total stated mission of playing college golf, teams drop one of five scores and. Favorite part of JR Smith officially begins college at North Carolina a & T 's Academic Athlete of the semester... Of Elon, who leads the way as the Kia Rookie of the @ golf... A sportswriter, Benner then served with the Thunder had the sixth-best score out of defenders... As well start the golf team watches golf Channel instead of the PGA Tours new Designated Events Model 4.0... That s -- -. `` for NIL representation begins college at North Carolina a & 's! In this report Smith says he watches golf Channel instead of the NBA Playoffs Academic Athlete of the Year the. His scorecard was just as colorful in his college golf related: J.R. Smith couldnt help but feel.! His team -. `` and classroom effortlessly classroom at the age of 36 with the Pacers for years. Named Academic Athlete of the NBA Playoffs documented his journey in college golf player values in Yahoo fantasy for. Retiring last Season was originally slated to Play college basketball a birdie s -.

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