current location:HOME > Sports News > Tennis Life > Text content

NCAA rules J.R. Smith eligible to play golf at NC A&T / News - Basketnews.com

nqajqrqw7months ago (05-18)Tennis Life283
Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports Credit Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

The NCAA on Tuesday ruled former two-time NBA champion J.R. Smith eligible to play golf at North Carolina A&T.

The ruling comes a day after Smith officially began classes at the school, located in Greensboro, N.C.

"It was probably one of the most exciting feelings I've had in a while," Smith told The Undefeated on Tuesday. "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 went straight from high school in New Jersey into the NBA draft.

The freshman, who turns 36 next month, joined the A&T golf team as a walk-on. Smith, who says he has a 5 handicap, will pursue a liberal studies degree.

"It's going to be fun," Smith said Monday. "Obviously different environments from playing in front of 20,000 people to playing in a college golf gallery. But it's still as nerve-racking as shooting a free throw in front of 5,000 instead of making a 5-foot putt in front of three. So it all correlates the same for me."

The 16-year NBA vet last appeared in the league in 2019-20, when he saw game action six times for the Los Angeles Lakers. A former first-round pick of the then-New Orleans Hornets in 2004, the guard has career averages of 12.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest over 977 career games (395 starts).

He played for the Hornets (2004-06), Denver Nuggets (2006-11), New York Knicks (2011-15), Cleveland Cavaliers (2015-19) and Lakers.

Smith won NBA championships with the Cavaliers in 2016 and Lakers in 2020.

Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.
Share with friends:

“NCAA rules J.R. Smith eligible to play golf at NC A&T / News - Basketnews.com” ofrelated articles

Report: Lakers a potential team that could trade for Donovan Mitchell / News - Basketnews.com

Report: Lakers a potential team that could trade for Donovan Mitchell / News - Basketnews.com

The Los Angeles Lakers could make a move for Donovan Mitchell if the Cleveland Cavaliers star doesn't sign an extension in the summer....

JJ Redick, Sam Cassell among top candidates for Lakers head coaching job / News - Basketnews.com

JJ Redick, Sam Cassell among top candidates for Lakers head coaching job / News - Basketnews.com

Los Angeles Lakers are looking at the cases of JJ Redick, Sam Cassell, and James Borrego for a head coaching hire....

Zeljko Obradovic on Zvezda fans' insults: 'I'm used to it' / News - Basketnews.com

Zeljko Obradovic on Zvezda fans' insults: 'I'm used to it' / News - Basketnews.com

Zeljko Obradovic: "I have nothing new to say. Insulting the whole game. I'm used to it. Their right."...

Partizan and GM Zoran Savic fined hours before ABA League final / News - Basketnews.com

Partizan and GM Zoran Savic fined hours before ABA League final / News - Basketnews.com

Partizan were given a €20,000 fine, while the club's GM, Zoran Savic, was fined €1500. Buducnost and their guard, Yogi Ferrell, also received fines....

Mike James bashes All-EuroLeague Teams: 'Fans shouldn't have a vote' / News - Basketnews.com

Mike James bashes All-EuroLeague Teams: 'Fans shouldn't have a vote' / News - Basketnews.com

James said fans skew the results in favor of the teams they support, making the entire selection process biased....

Players react to All-EuroLeague Teams: 'Whoever made these should be ashamed' / News - Basketnews.com

Players react to All-EuroLeague Teams: 'Whoever made these should be ashamed' / News - Basketnews.com

Shane Larkin laughed at not being selected into any of the two All-EuroLeague teams, Chima Moneke said the selectors should be ashamed, while a few ot...