Former NBA champion J.R. Smith has achieved remarkable success , earning a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Marketing from North Carolina A&T State University with a perfect 4.00 grade point average.
His achievement marks the fulfillment of a dream he carried for years after spending 16 seasons in the NBA and winning two championship titles, including one with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2019–20 season.
Smith's Story and How He Did It
Smith’s journey back to school is a decision he took to fulfill his goal. Although he became a successful basketball player, he admitted he struggled with how people viewed him publicly and wanted to rewrite his story through education.
“A lot of places I go, I’m recognized for being who I am, but not necessarily in a positive way,” Smith said. “It’s either Hennessy or something stupid, being fined or something like that.”
Because of that, he decided to challenge himself academically and prove he was capable of much more than basketball.
Growing up in New Jersey, Smith faced serious learning difficulties. He was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD at a young age, and academics were never easy for him
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He admitted he often avoided schoolwork because reading, public speaking, and processing information felt much harder compared to his peers.
“I didn’t realize how the brain is actually a muscle and the more you work it out, the stronger it’s going to get,” he said.
Despite those struggles, Smith enrolled at North Carolina A&T in 2021 and committed himself fully to education. He worked closely with tutors several days each week, spending long hours studying, attending video conference sessions, and completing assignments.
There were sleepless nights, difficult coursework, and moments of frustration, but he stayed disciplined throughout the process.
Smith also joined the university’s golf team as a walk-on player, though he repeatedly emphasized that graduating remained his main goal.
His former golf coach, Richard Watkins, said Smith approached school with determination and seriousness. “He came to school to graduate,” Watkins said.
One of Smith’s favorite courses was African-American Culture through Sports, which he said changed the way he viewed people, culture, and empathy. “I wish I could start over as a rookie now knowing what I know now,” he explained.
Smith revealed that another former NBA star, Ray Allen, inspired him to return to school after seeing Allen continue his own education while balancing life after basketball.
Over the years, Smith gradually overcame his fear of education and built confidence in the classroom. What once felt impossible eventually became a source of pride.
Now 40 years old, Smith says he plans to continue his education by pursuing a master’s degree in the future. He also hopes his story inspires other people to confront their fears and challenge themselves outside their comfort zones.
“I hope it inspires them to be more well-rounded as a person and not just as an athlete,” Smith said. “You’re still a person at the end of the day and you can get better in all areas and facets.”
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