J. R. Smith, the former basketball star is showing keen interest in the sport of golf. As a result, he has started playing college golf at North Carolina A&T. The 36-year-old was a part of the Lakers back in the 2020 season but hasn’t played since. However, he has not declared his retirement from basketball.

Smith is in the news for his deal with Excel Sports Management, which has signings from a couple of big stars from the sport of golf.

J. R. Smith signs NIL deal With Excel Sports Management

Up until a few months ago, college golfers were not allowed to make money from their name, image, or likeness. However, on Thursday NCAA broke its decades-long restriction on money-making opportunities for college golfers. The policy change has been passed in Florida and 11 other states in the USA. The change will now truly help college golfers to earn compensation for their hard work, which they were earlier denied.

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J. R. Smith has struck a deal with Excel Sports Management in light of the NCAA’s NIL exemption. It will allow him to use his name, image, and likeness to earn some money as a college golfer. The 36-year-old joined North Carolina A&T as a freshman, and in the second semester, he is a part of the men’s golf team.

According to the NCAA’s NIL rules, Smith cannot promote at NCAA sanctioned events, however, he can appear in TV commercials and promote his sponsors on social media. He has six million followers on Instagram. The former NBA player won two championships as a basketball player in his 16-year career.

J. R. Smith spoke about golf back in August. He said, “Golf is one of those games that has you feeling really high and or can bring you down to your knees and humble you. And to have that feeling and knowing that all of the game’s pretty much on my own hands and I don’t have to worry about teammates to pass the ball and receiving passes and playing defense so, I can play my game and just have fun.”

Who are the other signings of Excel Sports?

Excel Sports Management has a couple of the famous and probably best players in golf as their signings. The names include Tiger Woods as well as Justin Thomas.

Read more: ‘Yessir!’: LeBron James Reacts to JR Smith’s Upcoming Golf Debut at the NCAA Tournament

How will the NCAA’s new policy help college golfers? Let us know your views on the same.