J.R. Smith Wins NCAA Approval To Be A "Student-Athlete"

 

J.R. Smith has just turned the whole "student-athlete" notion on its ear. Instead of a "student" participating in athletic competition, the 16-year veteran of the NBA wars is now an "athlete" turning "student". 

J.R. Smith is cleared by the NCAA to play golf for @ncatsuaggies!

“It was probably one of the most exciting feelings I've had in a while. I really didn't know how it was going to go. ... but to be able to actually call myself a student-athlete is a great feeling.” - J.R. Smith pic.twitter.com/eEGDOFX86Q

— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) August 24, 2021

Smith skipped college 20 years ago to join the NBA. Now, after earning $90 million dollars and winning two world championships as a professional basketball player, the soon-to-be 36-year-old Smith is a freshman walk-on for the golf team at North Carolina A & T. The NCAA granted approval today. 

It was probably one of the most exciting feelings I've had in a while. I really didn't know how it was going to go. ... but to be able to actually call myself a student-athlete is a great feeling.

Smith's NBA world champ teammate LeBron James showed his support today on Twitter.

So happy and proud of you my brother @TheRealJRSmith!!!! Love you kid! Best of luck you student/athlete 🙏🏾💪🏾✊🏾👑🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 GO AGGIES ⛳️ TEAM https://t.co/3OJr6nnzGo

— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 24, 2021

He'll be exchanging the wild nights playing in front of 20,000 screaming fans for the relative serenity of the college golf green, but Smith expects making that 5-foot putt to be "as nerve-racking as shooting a free throw in front of 5,000 (people)." 

As for the other part of being a student-athlete, it sounds like he's already hitting the books.

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.

— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) August 22, 2021

His first assignment: Where he sees himself in the next five to ten years. 

“For me, because I have a wild imagination, it’s going to be very interesting,” Smith said. “I don’t know if the professor is prepared for that, and I’m obviously not the average freshman. So I don’t know how I’m going to do.” 

Photo Credit: @TheUndefeated