A college degree is important to many regular people. Generally, getting a degree tends to unlock opportunities in the world, while also educating oneself in the process of getting it. While many NBA players only spend one year in college or skip it entirely, there are some players who still elect to pursue higher education either doing classes on top of their NBA career or getting the degree after their time in the league is done.
It seems as though the latest NBA player who wants to get a degree is former sharpshooter, J. R. Smith. Smith has had a solid career, winning the 2012-13 Sixth Man of the Year award, and becoming a two-time NBA champion. Smith will be pursuing a degree in liberal studies, and potentially joining the golf team.
The 35-year-old J.R. Smith is enrolling at North Carolina A&T State University to pursue a degree in liberal studies and also is waiting on the NCAA and to sort out his eligibility so he can join the Aggies’ golf team. https://t.co/jiROvIapCm
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 11, 2021
J. R. Smith last played for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2019-20 championship run. However, the time has come for him to start a different adventure, and he offered some words about his upcoming college enrollment and revealed his reasons for going back.
JR Smith, a future…. Aggie? pic.twitter.com/HCGKmj9sCs
— Luke Lyddon (@Luke_Lyddon) August 11, 2021
Ray Allen kind of convinced me. We had a trip in DR, and he was talking about some of the things he was doing by going back to school and challenging himself and stuff for us athletes… Decided to go back, and one of the best liberal studies programs at A&T, and it just so happens I have I have deep roots in Carolina… after that things just started trickling down, trying to figure out if I still got eligibility, so see what’s going on there. But more importantly, just trying to educate myself, do something after basketball. They always told me I could go back whenever when I was coming out of high school, so this is whenever for me.
There is no doubt that it is inspiring to see a former athlete go back and complete their education. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to join the golf team, but even if J. R. Smith isn’t able to compete, this is still a good move for him.
