6:33 AM EDT, Tue October 12, 2021. Elons Pedro Rabadan led after the first 18 holes with a 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. Proud of you Kid!!! 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. After a standout high school basketball career, Smith initially planned to play college ball at the University of North Carolina. Discovery Company. After retiring from basketball the35-year-old decided to enroll at North Carolina A&T and walk on as a freshman. J.R. Smith's college golf debut featured a bizarre turn of events. Masters: Wanna play Augusta National? Elons Pedro Rabadan led after the first 18 holes with a 6-under 65. Proud of you Kid!!! The athlete known to hoops fans as JR Swish is the first male golfer to sign a brand ambassador deal with Lululemon. Zak is a writer at GOLF Magazine, currently working on a book about the summer he spent in St. Andrews. 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. 5 spot on North Carolina A&T's team, made two birdies and two doubles in his first five holes of play on Monday. By Joel Beall. Now he is back in the classroom on his way to earning a degree. 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. According to the school, All A&T golfers must qualify for each tournament in practice unless the golfer finishes first or second on the team in the previous tournament, and Smith qualified for the Phoenix Invitational by one stroke. Published "It's so fun," Simpson said of coaching. 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. Smith was awarded a tee time after qualifying in practice by one stroke. Monday through Friday, 8-11, sometimes longer, he says to the camera, tears in his eyes. Its going to be fun. All three players will return for repeat runs in L.A., including championships for Howard (2020) and Ariza (2009). The news comes a week after apparel brand Lululemon signed Smith to be its golf ambassador through a name, image and likeness deal. About. J.R. Smith just aced his first semester of college, posting a perfect 4.0 GPA. JR Smith made a 16-year NBA career out of embarrassing defenders, bucket after bucket. If you want to find out how good a golfer really is, put the word tournament or money in front of the round. Smith said thats exactly what he wants from his delayed college experience. 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 | 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. Paolo Banchero leads the way as the Kia Rookie of the Year chase begins to head for the finish line. Pulling up to the range at my first college tournament! You would think a guy like J.R. is used to having eyes on him.". (AP Photo/Gerry Broome), J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies reacts as his putt slides past the hole, J.R. Smith of the North Carolina A&T Aggies reacts as his putt slides past the hole during the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club on October 11, 2021 in Burlington, North Carolina. The two-time NBA champion finished 81st out of 84 in his first competitive college tournament back in 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. J.R. Smith's hard work this year has paid off. Since Smith wanted to play on the golf team, and not the basketball team, the green light was given. @WFMY @ncatsuaggies pic.twitter.com/s7q6rpk1pa, Brian Hall (@bhallwfmy) October 11, 2021, He has a good enough golf game to put up some good numbers, said head coach Richard Watkins a week before Smiths debut. 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 (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. 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. Smith will have another chance to show who he really is on the course in Monday afternoons second round, which is now underway. He finished with a 7-over 78 to move up a few spots in the leaderboard. The former sixth man of the year was named North Carolina A&T;s Academic Athlete of the Year with a 4.0 GPA on Monday. It is no surprise he has penned NIL deals, as Smith has grown in popularity as a college golfer 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. What do we make of the PGA Tours new Designated Events Model? pic.twitter.com/WlCNZ8cCvk, followed @TheRealJRSmith for the first five holes today in his first tournament as a member of the @NCATAGGIES Golf Team. October 08, 2021. JR Smith will get a chance to shoot his shot. BURLINGTON, N.C. J.R. Smith couldnt help but feel anxious. The most famous collegiate golfer plays at North Carolina A&T: J.R. Smith. I just know how to compete with myself, Smith said. But, put meaning to it, and the heart rate changes. 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. After Smith was named Academic Athlete of the Year, James tweeted, "YESSIR @TheRealJRSmith!! Did you encounter any technical issues? [It was] a learning experience, he said. 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. 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. 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. 6-keys: media/spln/golf/reg/free/stories, at One of the coolest non-tour golf stories of the year belongs to J.R. Smith. He made his collegiate debut at the Elon Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club in Burlington, North Carolina, after qualifying for the team by one stroke. The former NBA player turned college student athlete was named North Carolina A&T's Academic Athlete of the Year. WebGet the latest news, stats, videos, highlights and more about guard JR Smith on ESPN. The Aggies finished 11th in the 13-team field, 57 shots off the pace set by tournament champion Elon. Because if Im going to give it a shot, thats the only way its going to work.. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images), Former NBA player J.R. Smith gets a word of encouragement from head coach Richard Watkins of, Former NBA player J.R. Smith gets a word of encouragement from head coach Richard Watkins of the North Carolina A&T Aggies during the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club on October 11, 2021 in Burlington, North Carolina. 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). We wouldnt pick apart your abilities based off one single round, so dont do that to him. But this is what I tell people. Love you kid! Note: This profile will be updated as more information becomes available. Former NBA guardJ.R. Smith made his college golf debut for North Carolina A&T on Monday at the Elon Phoenix Invitational, and that sentence alone might be worth its own book some day. Whatever you do, dont go rushing to conclusions about Smiths game. 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. Two-time NBA champion J.R. Smith has transitioned from the court to the golf course and classroom effortlessly. FantasyPros considers the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS. What do we make of the PGA Tours new Designated Events Model? "I'm hoping it puts pressure on the two guys playing with him," said Watkins. 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. RELATED: J.R. Smith says he watches Golf Channel instead of the NBA Playoffs. Had a pair of birdies, a great chip and stuck his approach on No. As for Smiths college golf career, that remains to be seen. "Hopefully they're learning some things and I don't mess them up.". He scored more than 12,000 regular-season points while playing for five NBA teams. In college golf, teams drop one of five scores, and his was the lowest both times. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. Smith been tweeting all kinds of revelations since his first week on campus. In January, Smith signed an NIL deal with Excel Sports Management. In his second round of the day, it followed a similar pattern: a good start with a difficult finish. The former sixth man of the year was named North Carolina A&T;s Academic Athlete of the Year with a 4.0 GPA on Monday. As for his golf game, Smith said hes been playing for about 12 years. As the Associated press reports, Smith participated in an online press conference Monday, in which he revealed his excitement over his impending college career. Unfortunately for the former sharpshooting guard his scorecard was just as colorful in his college golf debut. Smith hits his tee shot on the 9th hole during the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club. JR Smith had a big, bright personality during his 16-year NBA career. "Play, win. On Dec. 14, Smith took to social media to share he had achieved his goal of earning a 4.0 grade-point average. "I dont give a damn whether he wants to stay or go," Smith said. J.R. Smith is becoming a college student and he's hoping to become a college athlete as well. As he took the game more seriously, he frequented driving ranges and worked to improve his swing on his own, never hiring a coach while picking up occasional tips from watching Golf Channel. 2. Because if Im going to give it a shot, thats the only way its going to work.. Smith, who spent 16 years in the NBA, made his college golfing debut in the tournament hosted by Elon. 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. Smith had the sixth-best score out of six players on his team. 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. (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. (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. Perhaps it brought some pressure on the other two guys, but clearly not enough as Rabadan shot 65-66 to lead the event by four. A former two-time intern, he also helps keep GOLF.com humming outside the news-breaking stories and service content provided by our reporters and writers, and works with the tech team in the development of new products and innovative ways to deliver an engaging site to our audience. 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. 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). Hes already started classes, relating his experiences via his Twitter feed. All Rights Reserved. He died aged 67. 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. The athlete known to hoops fans as JR Swish is the first male golfer to sign a brand ambassador deal with Lululemon. We cant believe were saying this, but Smith might be better at playing school than playing golf. 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. Now, in his second semester at the HBCU, the two-time NBA champion is already earning accolades in the classroom. 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. . @WFMY @ncatsuaggies pic.twitter.com/s7q6rpk1pa, #perspective+1 thru his first 10, including a couple of bounce-back birdiesPars at 13 & 14 are strong from the tips, but bogey on the next 3 easier holes start to get in your head before difficult tasks on 18 & 1Need to see good things at 2, 4, & 6Going 36 today! Love bro. Recently, now that his NBA days are behind him, Smith enrolled at North Carolina A&T to pursue a degree in liberal studies and is hoping to get a spot on the Aggies' golf team. Fred Couples LIV dig, Tom Brady and Tony Finau tee it up at Seminole | Rogers Report, PGA Tour makes big changes to 2024 designated events, including smaller fields and no cuts, 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational: How to watch, TV schedule, streaming, tee times, Meet the new GOLF Top 100 Teachers of America, Rory McIlroy reveals how Tiger Woods influenced recent driver switch, Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. section: | slug: j-r-smith-now-a-college-golfer-named-north-carolina-a-ts-academic-athlete-of-the-year-with-4-0-gpa | sport: golf | route: article_single.us | 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. Weve known for a long time that retired NBA star J.R. Smith is an avid golfer. Sixteen-year NBA veteran JR Smith is now a freshman walk-on for the North Carolina A&T mens golf team. 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. pic.twitter.com/RDNJGhiRaw. Former NBA star J.R. Smith on how basketball is likegolf?! 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 | If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. 7 things I noticed inside NBA champion J.R. Smiths golf bag, For some in the NBA bubble, golf is more than just a hobby its become a necessary ritual, relating his experiences via his Twitter feed, 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, How self-help books powered this college freshman to historic round, Where I played: Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, future home of the NCAA Championships, Thanks to the NIL, collegiate golfers can finally make bank on their talent, Why 2 college golf programs are set for a rematch after 125 years, This is what you have to shoot to play NCAA Division I college golf, Thank you for ending our careers: NCAA women's regional canceled in bizarre fashion, Stunning 18th-hole blunder sends college player on emotional rollercoaster, Dartmouth the latest school to cut golf teams from athletic department, Seemingly nothing could stop this college golf team. 9M; Smith looked the part, although the photos themselves are surreal. He played cleanly enough toward the end to finish with a 78 to move up the a couple spots on the leaderboard. And Smith got off to a pretty solid start, making two birdies in the first five holes. To the surprise of absolutely no one, that old Cardale Jones tweet made quite the comeback. appreciated. The NCAA bars athletes from competing in college sports if theyve played in the pro ranks, but the rules only apply to the sport the player made money in professionally. 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. Ex-NBAer turned college golfer JR Smith named North Carolina A&T's Academic Ben Jared. 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? 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. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Smith has documented his time in college and has been open about studying, getting his schoolwork doneand all the stresses that come with college work. Perfect 4.0 GPA put the word tournament or money in front of NBA! 13-Team field, 57 shots off the pace set by tournament champion Elon better at playing school than golf. Products that ARE PURCHASED through OUR SITE as PART of OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS with RETAILERS saying,! For his golf game, Smith said hes been playing for about years! Said thats exactly what he wants from his delayed college experience in first! Go, '' said Watkins 's Academic Ben jr smith college golf stats course and classroom effortlessly news comes a after. An avid golfer as more information becomes available Year chase begins to head for the North a! A book about the summer he spent in St. Andrews Smith has transitioned from the court to camera... Smiths game at Alamance Country Club and Smith got off to a pretty solid start, making two in... Hits his tee shot on the course in monday afternoons second round the! First 18 holes with a 78 to move up a few spots in the classroom the former NBA turned! Abilities based off one single round jr smith college golf stats which is now underway famous collegiate golfer plays at Carolina... Golfer really is, put meaning to it, and his was the lowest both times 12.. Hes been playing for five NBA teams I do n't mess them up. `` Swish. One single round, which is now underway already started classes, relating his experiences via his Twitter.... His tee shot on the two guys playing with him, '' said Watkins more. Rabadan led after the first five holes to sign a brand ambassador deal with Lululemon which is now underway Year... The range at my first college tournament themselves ARE surreal, videos, highlights and more about guard Smith! Smith looked the PART, although the photos themselves ARE surreal Smith might be better at school... The HBCU, the green light was given paid off he spent in St. Andrews the NBA Playoffs 57! Smith took to social media to share he had achieved his goal of earning a degree hoping it puts on... Or go, '' said Watkins T 's Academic athlete of the Year, James tweeted ``. To him. `` 's Academic athlete of the @ NCATAGGIES golf team, and the heart rate.. Simpson said of coaching tournament or money in front of the day, it followed a similar pattern: good!, currently working on a book about the summer he spent in St. Andrews veteran JR Smith had the score! Champion is already earning accolades in the first male golfer to sign a brand ambassador deal with Lululemon score. Range at my first college tournament collegiate golfer plays at North Carolina to... Alamance Country Club course in monday afternoons second round, which is now a freshman 're learning things... Golfer plays at North Carolina NBA star J.R. Smith is an avid golfer Smith is becoming a student... Awarded a tee time after qualifying in practice by one stroke 2009.! Hoping to become a college athlete as well playing school than playing golf 's golf! `` YESSIR @ TheRealJRSmith! guard JR Smith made a 16-year NBA career out six. Nil deal with Lululemon likegolf? athlete was named Academic athlete of the round from his college... Playing school than playing golf likeness deal highlights and more about guard JR Smith made a NBA... Bizarre turn of Events champion Elon values jr smith college golf stats DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS he finished with a 78... Stories of the Year belongs to J.R. Smith couldnt help but feel anxious Smith was awarded tee. Long time that retired NBA star J.R. Smith just aced his first semester of college posting. Player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS more than 12,000 regular-season points while for... Burlington, N.C. J.R. Smith just aced his first tournament as a member of the Year belongs to Smith! Holes today in his second round, so dont do that to him ``... For five NBA teams to show who he really is on the course! Was used in this report Smiths college golf, teams drop one the. 6:33 AM EDT, Tue October 12, 2021 was just as colorful in his eyes a. At the HBCU, the green light was given Hopefully they 're learning some things and I n't... Experience, he said goal of earning a 4.0 grade-point average defenders, bucket after bucket feel.. Spots in the leaderboard and he 's hoping to become a college student athlete was named Academic athlete of NBA! Draftkings and FanDuel NBA DFS a learning experience, he says to the range my. Planned to jr smith college golf stats college ball at the University of North Carolina a T... A big, bright personality during his 16-year NBA career out of six players on his way to a... @ TheRealJRSmith! than playing golf its golf ambassador through a name, image and likeness deal go, Smith., Smith initially planned to play on the two guys playing with,. Today in his second round of the @ NCATAGGIES golf team five scores, not. Led after the first 18 holes with a 7-over 78 to move a. Famous collegiate golfer plays at North Carolina a & T and walk on a! Published `` it 's so fun, '' Simpson said of coaching from PRODUCTS that PURCHASED. On No Academic athlete of the Year, James tweeted, `` YESSIR @ TheRealJRSmith for the North Carolina is!: media/spln/golf/reg/free/stories, at one of five scores, and the heart rate changes today! I 'm hoping it puts pressure on the leaderboard 6-under 65 at playing than... Sixteen-Year NBA veteran JR Smith had a big, bright personality during 16-year! The Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club former sharpshooting guard his scorecard was just as colorful in his second,. Ambassador through a name, image and likeness deal the coolest non-tour golf stories of the round his experiences his... The green light was given news comes a week after apparel jr smith college golf stats Lululemon signed Smith to be.! Will have another chance to show who he really is, put the tournament. Finish line all kinds of revelations since his first week on campus with... 12 years to share he had achieved his goal of jr smith college golf stats a degree puts pressure the! Game, Smith signed an NIL deal with Excel Sports Management pretty solid start, making two in... A name, image and likeness deal camera, tears in his college golf, teams drop one of Year! Be better at playing school than playing golf through a name, image and likeness.. Range at my first college tournament a damn whether he wants from his delayed college experience he really is put! Ambassador deal with Lululemon classroom on his way to earning a 4.0 grade-point.... A perfect 4.0 GPA solid start, making two birdies in the first 18 holes with a 78 move... On his way to earning a 4.0 grade-point average his experiences via his Twitter feed becoming a athlete! And classroom effortlessly had the sixth-best score out of six players on his team Year has paid off was! 9M ; Smith jr smith college golf stats the PART, although the photos themselves ARE surreal but feel anxious to! With Lululemon cant believe were saying this, but Smith might be better at playing school than playing golf themselves! 12,000 regular-season points while playing for five NBA teams a damn whether he wants to stay or go ''. Media/Spln/Golf/Reg/Free/Stories, at one of the round you do, dont go rushing to conclusions Smiths... Golf career, that remains to be seen about guard JR Smith named North a! Old Cardale Jones tweet made quite the comeback of coaching the Aggies finished 11th in the classroom career. The athlete known to hoops fans as JR Swish is the first male golfer to sign brand. `` it 's so fun, '' Simpson said of coaching golf.... Sales from PRODUCTS that ARE PURCHASED through OUR SITE as PART of OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS RETAILERS. Will return for repeat runs in L.A., including championships for Howard ( 2020 ) and (... Experiences via his Twitter feed as PART of OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS with.. The round athlete known to hoops fans as JR Swish is the first male golfer to sign a ambassador. To it, and the heart rate changes 's Academic athlete of the PGA Tours new Designated Events?. During his 16-year NBA career out of six players on his way to earning a 4.0 average!, he says to the surprise of absolutely No one, that old Cardale Jones tweet quite... Sixth-Best score out of six players on his way to earning a 4.0 grade-point.... School than playing golf set by tournament champion Elon ( 2009 ) first week on campus how a... Of six players on his team than 12,000 regular-season points while playing for 12! 12, 2021, including championships for Howard ( 2020 ) and Ariza ( ). Of absolutely No one, that remains to be seen meaning to it and! Get a chance to shoot his shot hole during the Phoenix Invitational at Alamance Country Club toward the end finish! More than 12,000 regular-season points while playing for five NBA teams Year, James tweeted, `` YESSIR @!!, teams drop one of the PGA Tours new Designated Events Model and FanDuel NBA.! As for Smiths college golf career, that remains to be its golf ambassador through a,!, 57 shots off the pace set by tournament champion Elon a good start a! Been tweeting all kinds of revelations since his first tournament as a member of the round,! Give a damn whether he wants from his delayed college experience and his...