• Loading stock data...
Friday, December 6, 2024
Tune in on Dec. 11 at 1:05 p.m. ET for our last Future of Sports virtual summit of the year – Future of Sports: Marketing! Register Now

JR Smith Named North Carolina A&T’s Academic Athlete of the Year

  • Smith achieved a 4.0 GPA during his freshman year.
  • He recently became Lululemon’s first male golf endorser through his NIL deal.
N.C. A&T Athletics

JR Smith dominated headlines when he announced he would play college golf, but his intention was always to excel academically.

On Monday, Smith was named North Carolina A&T’s Academic Athlete of the Year thanks to his 4.0 GPA in the 2021-22 school year.

Having retired from the NBA in 2020, Smith was reportedly inspired to get his college degree by Hall of Famer Ray Allen during a golf trip to the Dominican Republic.

Smith went pro straight from high school in the 2004 NBA Draft — one of the last draft classes allowed to do so before the NBA changed its eligibility rules following the 2005 Draft.

The 36-year-old freshman is also taking advantage of college sports’ NIL era: He recently became the first male golfer to endorse Lululemon.

Smith made over $90 million in career earnings over his 16-year NBA career.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 21, 2024; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars alumni and Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith speaks with Adrian Wojnarowski in the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Adrian Wojnarowski Reveals Cancer Diagnosis Influenced His ESPN Departure

The former ESPN NBA insider said his prostate cancer prognosis is good.
Jewell Loyd

Jewell Loyd Asks Out of Storm After Investigation Finds No Wrongdoing

Loyd reportedly filed the complaint of harassment and bullying by the coaches.
exclusive

Talor Gooch Using LIV Golf Fortune to Start Building Sports Empire

The golfer has made more than $43 million individually from LIV.
James Dolan

Judge Orders MSG Bootleg Merch Sellers to Cut It Out, Appear in..

MSG Sports, the Knicks, and Rangers sued the vendors Monday.

Featured Today

Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.
November 30, 2024

U.S. Investors Are Gunning for England’s Small Soccer Clubs

Is another Hollywood-like success story possible among the U.K.’s smallest clubs?
Nov 1, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) leads the team onto the field prior to the first quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Albertsons Stadium.
November 29, 2024

Schools Are Scrambling to Prepare for the NCAA Revenue-Sharing Era

In the post–House v. NCAA world, “everyone’s kind of on their own.”
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Recording artist Taylor Swift arrives prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
November 29, 2024

The PWHL Could Be Inviting a Date With Taylor Swift’s Legal Team

The Toronto Sceptres may have opened a Pandora’s box of trademark issues.

‘This Is a Big Deal’: SEC Defends Championship Amid CFP Debate

Neither Texas nor Georgia appears at risk of missing the Playoff.
December 4, 2024

Tulsa Football Players Say Fired Coach Promised NIL Cash That Never Materialized

Their now-fired coach says none of his players would get NIL money.
December 5, 2024

State Legislators Argue Existing Laws Conflict With House v. NCAA Settlement Terms

State lawmakers say it’s too restrictive and conflicts with existing laws.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
December 4, 2024

Conference Title Games to Shape CFP Picture: High Stakes, Wild Scenarios

The ACC, Big 12, and Mountain West title games have big implications.
Lane Kiffin
December 4, 2024

College Football Devolves Into Sniping as Playoff Bracket Nears

From Lane Kiffin to Jim Phillips, no one is holding back.
December 3, 2024

Big Ten, SEC Dominate; Alabama Ranks 11th As CFP Picture Sharpens

The final rankings before conference championship games are out.
Nov 2, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs head coach Rhett Lashlee leads SMU on to the field before the game between the Southern Methodist Mustangs and the Pittsburgh Panthers at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
December 3, 2024

Every Power 4 Championship Game Will Have a Conference Newcomer

Oregon, SMU, Texas, and Arizona State will all play for titles.