Playing for a score as opposed to just playing for your ego and pride. 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. 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. All three players will return for repeat runs in L.A., including championships for Howard (2020) and Ariza (2009). Weve known for a long time that retired NBA star J.R. Smith is an avid golfer. (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. JR Smith analyzes his yardage book during his first collegiate golf tournament Monday. Had a pair of birdies, a great chip and stuck his approach on No. As for his golf game, Smith said hes been playing for about 12 years. 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. "It's so fun," Simpson said of coaching. What do we make of the PGA Tours new Designated Events Model? pic.twitter.com/MOPVusR4zE. RELATED: J.R. Smith says he watches Golf Channel instead of the NBA Playoffs. The Aggies first golf match comes Sept. 24-25 at the Black College Golf Coaches Association Invitational in Newnan, Georgia. 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. He scored more than 12,000 regular-season points while playing for five NBA teams. 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. But, put meaning to it, and the heart rate changes. "I'm hoping it does not affect him. (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. 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. The grip on the club changes, and we get to see who you really are.. Sixteen-year NBA veteran JR Smith is now a freshman walk-on for the North Carolina A&T mens golf team. Paolo Banchero leads the way as the Kia Rookie of the Year chase begins to head for the finish line. Start the Golf Season off right with InsideGOLF ($100 value - just $20). 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. I dont know if the professor is prepared for that, and Im obviously not the average freshman. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. That, in and of itself, is success. How about during freshman year? Who needs 3s when you can score a 4.0? Since Smith wanted to play on the golf team, and not the basketball team, the green light was given. 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. Smith blames all parties involved, from Rodgers to Gutekunst to coach Matt LaFleur. 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. 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). Proud of you Kid!!! Note: This profile will be updated as more information becomes available. 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. (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. 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. JR Smith had a big, bright personality during his 16-year NBA career. "Hopefully they're learning some things and I don't mess them up.". Obviously different environments from playing in front of 20,000 people to playing in a college golf gallery. 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. Smith, who spent 16 years in the NBA, made his college golfing debut in the tournament hosted by Elon. RotoWire considers the best player values in Yahoo fantasy leagues for Wednesday night's slate. He died aged 67. Smith walked off the course tied for 79th after eight bogeys, two double bogeys, two birdies and six pars. The most famous collegiate golfer plays at North Carolina A&T: J.R. Smith. Smith said thats exactly what he wants from his delayed college experience. "A lot of hard work went into that s---.". The athlete known to hoops fans as JR Swish is the first male golfer to sign a brand ambassador deal with Lululemon. Oh man is right. October 08, 2021. 6-keys: media/spln/golf/reg/free/stories, at The two-time @NBA champ is enrolling @NCATAggies with his sights set on the golf team. Ben Jared. 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 | That fact brought is humorous in light of this quote from A&T head coach Richard Watkins from before the tournament begin. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much After Smith was named Academic Athlete of the Year, James tweeted, "YESSIR @TheRealJRSmith!! "I'm hoping it puts pressure on the two guys playing with him," said Watkins. Because if Im going to give it a shot, thats the only way its going to work.. 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. 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. 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. 2023 Cable News Network. 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 Whatever you do, dont go rushing to conclusions about Smiths game. Top 100 Courses in the U.S.: GOLFs all-new 2022-23 ranking is here! 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 hits his tee shot on the 9th hole during the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club. 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. 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. Its not Rose Zhang at Stanford or Pierceson Coody at Texas, two of the best college players on the planet. "I can't even describe the feeling," he said. 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. All Rights Reserved. RELATED: J.R. Smith finally played Pine Valleyand then bought the entire pro shop. 9 to within a foot from the pin. J.R. Smith's college golf debut featured a bizarre turn of events. if his first semester report card is any indication, he meant it. He remained in the middle of the leaderboard through the front nine at one over par. Best of luck you student/athlete GO AGGIES TEAM https://t.co/3OJr6nnzGo. 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. 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. I was, he said. Interestingly, Smith was paired with Pedro Rabadan of Elon, who leads the event after Day 1. Plus, from the looks of the video below and a handful of tweets from those on-site, Smith really had it going to start the day before things got away from him. We also know that his game is no joke. What do we make of the PGA Tours new Designated Events Model? Its going to be fun, Smith said Monday in an online news conference. 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. It is no surprise he has penned NIL deals, as Smith has grown in popularity as a college golfer JR Smith officially begins college at North Carolina A&T, joins As being a shooter and with golf, it correlates to trying to hit different shots and your creativity, and that swing and try to have that flow and tempo.. After a standout high school basketball career, Smith initially planned to play college ball at the University of North Carolina. (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. Love bro https://t.co/gqwOLnlcdw. 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. The 36-year-old former NBA star responded to the news with a smile emoji. The two-time NBA champion finished 81st out of 84 in his first competitive college tournament back in 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. Here are your options. pic.twitter.com/RDNJGhiRaw. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) August 22, 2021, My first deadline is at midnight pic.twitter.com/Za7n4XDQ1j, JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) August 23, 2021, For me, because I have a wild imagination, its going to be very interesting, Smith said. Smith, a 16-year NBA veteran, enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University in August, with the hopes of playing on the universitys golf team. Smith was awarded a tee time after qualifying in practice by one stroke. pic.twitter.com/WlCNZ8cCvk, followed @TheRealJRSmith for the first five holes today in his first tournament as a member of the @NCATAGGIES Golf Team. So happy and proud of you my brother @TheRealJRSmith!!!! So it all correlates the same for me.. 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. Start the Golf Season off right with InsideGOLF ($100 value - just $20). 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. The diamond patch celebrates the NBA turning 75 as well as the past, present and future of the game. Best irons for 2023 for every handicap and playing style, Three sleeper picks to win the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational, including Tommy Fleetwood at 80/1, Best golf drivers for 2023 for every handicap and playing style, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Smith warms up with his fellow competitors before the Phoenix Invitational. Obviously different environments from playing in front of 20,000 people to playing in a college golf gallery, Smith said. Its not golf 24/7 even though he enrolled in part to play on the universitys golf team. The two-time NBA champion is returning to the state where he was originally slated to play college basketball. Will return for repeat runs in L.A., including championships for Howard ( 2020 ) and (! 'S Academic athlete of the game front of 20,000 people to playing in a college golf Coaches Invitational. Smith walked off the course tied for 79th after eight bogeys, two double,! 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