LeBron James reacts as J.R. Smith completes remarkable college journey

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LeBron James reacts as J.R. Smith completes remarkable college journey originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

J.R. Smith spent 16 seasons building a reputation as one of the NBA’s most fearless scorers and streakiest shooters. He won championships, captured Sixth Man of the Year honors and became a fan favorite alongside LeBron James during Cleveland’s title run.

Now, years after his final NBA game, Smith is earning praise for something completely different.

The former Cavaliers and Lakers guard is officially graduating from North Carolina A&T this week, bringing to an end one of the more unexpected and inspiring second chapters in recent basketball history. And when the news surfaced online, James immediately made sure everyone knew how proud he was of his former teammate.

“SOOOOO PROUD OF YOU,” James posted on Instagram while sharing news of Smith’s graduation.

J.R. Smith’s college path became bigger than basketball​

Smith enrolled at North Carolina A&T in 2021, something few expected from a player who went straight from high school to the NBA nearly two decades earlier.

Even more surprising, he did not simply attend classes quietly behind the scenes. Smith fully embraced campus life, joined the Aggies’ golf team and openly discussed the challenges of returning to school later in life.

Over time, fans gravitated toward the honesty of his story.

Smith spoke emotionally early in his college experience after earning a 4.0 GPA during his first semester. For someone who admitted he had heard doubts about his academic ability throughout his life, the achievement clearly carried major personal meaning.

“I can’t even describe the feeling … especially when you don’t think you can do it,” Smith said at the time. “You always hear about your disabilities.”

That moment quickly became one of the most widely shared stories surrounding Smith’s post-playing career.

MORE: Lakers doubted again as ESPN unanimously picks Thunder series winner

Smith built memorable NBA career before returning to school​

Before college became part of his story, Smith already had one of the more unique NBA careers of his generation. He played for five different franchises across 16 seasons and developed a reputation as a microwave scorer capable of changing games in minutes. His best statistical season came with the Knicks in 2012-13 when he averaged 18.1 points per game and won NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

But many fans still remember Smith most for his chemistry with James. The two won championships together in Cleveland and later with the Lakers during the NBA bubble season in 2020. Their friendship remained visible long after their playing days together ended, which made James’ public reaction to Smith’s graduation feel especially genuine.

J.R. Smith’s next chapter still feels wide open​

Smith will officially graduate Saturday with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies-Applied Cultural Thought. At 40 years old, his path continues looking very different from the one most expected when he entered the NBA as a teenager. Yet that unpredictability has become part of what makes his story resonate with so many fans.

For some former athletes, retirement becomes a slow fade away from the spotlight. Smith instead turned it into a completely new challenge. And judging by the reaction across basketball circles this week, plenty of people were rooting for him every step of the way.

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