There is a certain tranquility to the green that doesn’t echo in a roaring arena. J.R. Smith is a man who was once synonymous with electrifying dunks and pressure-packed jumpers. Fans chanted his name, and he made headlines daily, involved in spats and controversies. However, now, the silence of a fairway holds more meaning than ever before. It’s not that Smith is walking away from competition. Rather, he is walking toward something else entirely. A game that, for most of his youth, existed only at the fringes of family tradition has now become so central to his identity that he wants to take it to the next level.

Any word that comes out of JR Smith’s mouth carries weight, as he is a former NBA player who achieved notable success, including winning two NBA championships—one in 2016 with the Cavaliers and one in 2020 with the Lakers. He also earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2013 while playing for the New York Knicks. Beyond the NBA, Smith claimed the title of CBA All-Star Scoring Champion in 2012. After completing a 16-year-long NBA career, he now shares the story of when the switch flipped and he became interested in golf—a sport he now treats as more than just a passion.

Before Smith became a well-known NBA player, golf was always going on around him. His dad, grandpa, uncles, and even his brother all played the game. But for JR, growing up meant fighting on wooden floors and running on the field. “I was already so involved in basketball, football… it wasn’t like time for me [to try golf],” Smith admitted. “She was there. I met her when I was what, 24? And then the world changed.” What changed was more than his grip on a club—it was the birth of his daughter that opened his heart to the game.

It was at that point, a personal crossroads, when golf really became a part of JR Smith’s life. Andrew Santino asked Smith to be honest, and he said that becoming a father gave him the peace of mind to enjoy the game. “I had my first daughter and I fell in love with golf and it was a wrap. And I hope the level of importance stays that way. My daughter and then golf.” For a man whose resume includes accomplishments considered among the best ever, it was fatherhood—not fame—that grounded his next move.

Now 39, Smith has taken his passion seriously. Even after retiring from basketball, he enrolled at North Carolina A&T and walked on to the golf team as a student-athlete. What made this move special was that he entered college not as a basketball legend, but as a golf enthusiast. This decision reflected his continued hunger for discipline and curiosity. In a world that once gave him standing ovations, he found new value in walking among student golfers who treated him not as an ex-NBA star, but as a teammate.

JR Smith Humbled on the Fairway, Rebuilt by Purpose

Golf, to Smith, is more than a post-retirement hobby — it’s a mission. “Honestly, what my passion is, is helping people get into the game of golf,” he said. Building a business or starting a clothing line doesn’t motivate him. “Everybody’s inside off their phones. Nobody’s on their gadgets… You’re present,” he added, stressing how the game promotes mindfulness and connection.

He also praised his young teammates for their respect and camaraderie. “A lot of the guys and even the girls team are very receptive of me,” he said, visibly moved. “They’re very humbled and appreciative that I would even do such a thing.” For someone who once relished NBA nightlife and the media glare, the quiet welcome of a college team may seem like a downgrade — but for Smith, it’s the only direction that matters now.

His purpose has evolved, and so has his platform. Smith now channels his energy not just into improving his own game. But into expanding access to golf through mentorship and visibility. He hopes to bring underrepresented communities into the sport. Ultimately, people may remember Smith not only for his impressive performances and championships but also for his well-rounded career and philanthropy. The path he’s on now suggests he may live a life of influence. Simply by showing up with honesty, humility, and a set of golf clubs.