JR Smith Set to Graduate From North Carolina A&T University

Former basketball player and two-time NBA champion J.R. Smith is preparing to cross a different kind of finish line as he graduates from North Carolina A&T State University next month. The former shooting guard, who famously bypassed college for the professional ranks in 2004, has spent the last several years reinventing himself as a dedicated student at the historically Black university.

Smith first enrolled at North Carolina A&T in 2021 after a professional career that spanned 16 seasons and included championship rings with both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers. His decision to pursue higher education later in life caught national attention, highlighting the importance of lifelong learning and the cultural impact of HBCUs.

During his tenure at the university, Smith did not just stay in the classroom. He successfully joined the Aggies golf team as a walk-on, marking a unique chapter in collegiate sports where a multi-millionaire professional veteran competed alongside student-athletes half his age. His transition from the hardwood of the NBA to the greens of collegiate golf was chronicled as an inspiration to those seeking to pursue new passions at any stage of life.

The upcoming spring commencement ceremonies are expected to be a high-profile affair. University officials confirmed that Queen Latifah, the legendary musician and actress, will serve as the keynote commencement speaker for the graduating class.

Smith has been vocal about his academic challenges and successes since returning to school. Throughout his journey, he frequently shared updates on social media regarding his study habits and the mental shift required to tackle difficult coursework. He previously noted that the experience of being a student allowed him to develop a different kind of discipline than what was required in professional sports.

“It has been a long road, but being part of this university community has changed my perspective on what it means to be successful,” Smith said during a previous campus event.

The veteran athlete is now poised to join the ranks of Aggie alumni, proving that it is never too late to earn a degree. North Carolina A&T State University remains one of the largest and most prestigious HBCUs in the nation.