Former NBA champion J.R. Smith will be an HBCU graduate

Former NBA guard J.R. Smith will reach a milestone next month that once seemed unlikely.

Being a college graduate.

The two-time NBA champion and current 40-year-old undergrad will earn a degree in liberal studies this spring from North Carolina A&T, more than two decades after entering pro basketball from high school.

Smith enrolled at the historically Black university in 2021, beginning a new chapter far removed from his 16-season career that included titles with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers.

His arrival on campus drew national attention, not only for his basketball résumé but also for his commitment to academics. Smith embraced student life while balancing coursework, often documenting the adjustment from professional athlete to full-time student on social media and even in a docuseries.

Smith also joined the Aggies’ golf team as a walk-on, competing alongside traditional college athletes and showcasing a different side of his athletic ability.

J.R. Smith showed what transformation can do

Smith has been open about the challenges of returning to school after years away from the classroom.

“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.

As he prepares to receive his degree, Smith’s journey underscores the value of persistence and lifelong growth, offering a powerful example that new goals can be pursued at any stage.