A few weeks ago, former NBA player J.R. Smith announced that he had enrolled back in school at North Carolina A&T and hoped to play for the university’s golf team. All that was left to do, was await the NCAA’s decision about his eligibility.
On Tuesday, The Undefeated reported that Smith got the call and received some welcome news: he’s been cleared to play golf for the North Carolina A&T Aggies.
That means Smith can officially call himself a student-athlete for the first time since high school. After foregoing college and going straight to the NBA in 2004, the former Sixth Man of the Year and two-time NBA champ will pursue a degree in liberal studies, while trying to carve out a spot for himself on the gold team.
“It was probably one of the most exciting feelings I’ve had in a while,” Smith said of getting cleared by the NCAA. “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 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
Apparently, Smith is quite the golfer, so he shouldn’t have a problem making the team and competing. He boasts a five handicap, which is impressive for someone who dedicated much of their life to another professional sport.
Smith said he really enjoys the spors because the onus to succeed is completely on him.
“Golf is one of those games that has you feeling really high and or can bring you down to your knees and humble you,” Smith said, via Helen Ross of PGATour.com. “And to have that feeling and knowing that all of the game’s pretty much on my own hands and I don’t have to worry about teammates to pass the ball and receiving passes and playing defense so, I can play my game and just have fun.”
Obviously Smith is excited to get out onto the golf course with the Aggies and fans can’t wait to see him compete in a different sport.
The post Breaking: NCAA Makes Official Decision On J.R. Smith appeared first on The Spun.
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