Two-time NBA champion J.R. Smith is set to add a new milestone to his post-basketball journey: a college degree.
Smith is expected to graduate this spring from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where he has been pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies with a concentration in applied cultural thought.
The former NBA star, who won championships with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, enrolled at the historically Black university in 2021 after retiring from professional basketball. His return to the classroom marked a significant personal challenge, as Smith has openly discussed struggling with learning disabilities and being bullied during his early school years.
Despite those obstacles, Smith thrived academically. He earned a 4.0 GPA during his first semester and went on to become a standout student-athlete, joining the Aggies men’s golf team and later being recognized as an Academic Athlete of the Year.
University officials say Smith will receive his degree during spring commencement ceremonies scheduled for May in Greensboro.
Smith’s college journey has drawn widespread attention as an example of perseverance and reinvention. After entering the NBA straight out of high school, he spent more than a decade in the league before choosing to pursue higher education later in life—a decision he has said was motivated by personal growth rather than public validation.
His story has also been chronicled in the Prime Video docuseries Redefined: J. R. Smith, which follows his transition from professional athlete to college student and golfer.
As he prepares to walk across the graduation stage, Smith’s achievement represents more than an academic milestone—it highlights a broader message about second chances, education, and redefining success beyond sports.
