Former NBA player J.R. Smith Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports

J.R. Smith posts 4.0 GPA in first semester of college, revels in remarkable achievement

Originally posted on Sportress of Blogitude
By Jason Rowan | Last updated 12/14/21

Former NBA star J.R. Smith elected to forgo college, instead opting to go directly from high school to the pros. He was selected by the then-New Orleans Hornets with the No. 18 pick in the 2004 NBA Draft.

At age 36, the two-time NBA champion is finally giving the college experience a go after enrolling at North Carolina A&T State University this past fall.

It sounds like the late-stage foray into obtaining a post-secondary education is going quite well for Smith. He relayed Tuesday on social media that he earned incredibly impressive marks in his first semester.

Smith claimed upon enrollment that his goal was to score a 4.0 grade point average in the fall. After seemingly believing he fell short of the mark, Smith was understandably elated that he did in fact nail his lofty GPA goal.

JR thought he was just short of his 4.0 goal this semester only to be surprised with the good news today @TheRealJRSmith pic.twitter.com/0mLyPSV9R6
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 14, 2021

An emotional Smith shared in an Instagram post Tuesday in which he said getting a 4.0 GPA took a lot of effort.

“I can’t even describe the feeling… especially when you don’t think you can do it… you always hear about your disabilities…”

JR Smith got a 4.0 in his first semester at college!! @TheRealJRSmith pic.twitter.com/y7pm5F0gnj
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) December 14, 2021

“I can’t even describe the feeling,” Smith said in part. “A lot of hard work went into that s—.”

Smith returned to Twitter later Tuesday to say how he couldn’t wait to tell his two children about his remarkable achievement.

I cant wait till my kids get out of school!!!! pic.twitter.com/KYYZkpbnlJ
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) December 14, 2021

Smith, one of the more colorful and eccentric players during his time in the NBA, announced his intention of going to college in August.

Welcome to the #Aggie family @TheRealJRSmith! https://t.co/GQ2AKdXhed
— North Carolina A&T (@ncatsuaggies) August 12, 2021

Smith is pursuing a degree in liberal studies at North Carolina A&T State University and even joined the school’s golf team in the fall. The 2012-13 NBA Sixth Man of the Year was originally slated to attend the University of North Carolina and play for the Tar Heels before reconsidering and entering the draft as a high schooler.

This article first appeared on Sportress of Blogitude and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: