Former NBA star J.R. Smith is proving that his legendary career on the court was just the first act.
After spending four years hitting the books at North Carolina A&T, the two-time champion has officially graduated, but he’s already looking toward his next big win. Smith confirmed he is on a mission to stack his credentials, with plans to enroll in a master’s program immediately to further his education.
“I want to continuously get better at understanding and being a person of higher intellect,” Smith said.
His ultimate goal is to transition from the hardwood to the front office as the Athletic Director for the Aggies. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as the university’s current AD, Earl Hilton III, is preparing to step down this summer after a 15-year tenure. While the school is conducting a national search for a replacement, Smith believes his deep roots in professional sports and his newfound academic discipline make him the right fit to guide student-athletes.
“I feel like I got a lot of knowledge in the games or in the sports and how to build really good teams,” Smith said. “I want to see the youth graduate. I want to see these young kids prosper and be amazing people. I think there’s so many intelligent minds there.”
The journey to his Bachelor’s degree in liberal studies was a personal battle for the 40-year-old. Smith has been open about the anxiety he felt returning to a classroom setting, largely due to being diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia as a kid. To get across the finish line, he spent hours with tutors multiple times a week and pushed through late-night study sessions to stay ahead of his assignments. His former golf coach, Richard Watkins, noted that while Smith’s time on the Aggies golf team made headlines, his focus never wavered from his true mission: “He came to school to graduate.
After 16 seasons in the NBA, Smith wants his story to remind other athletes that they are more than just their physical talents. By earning his degree, he’s showing that personal growth has no expiration date.
“I hope it inspires them to be more well-rounded as a person and not just as an athlete. I think being an athlete is just [an] attribute that you have,” Smith said. “You’re still a person at the end of the day and you can get better in all areas and facets.”
