J.R. Smith is set to receive his undergraduate degree from North Carolina A&T State University this weekend, marking a significant personal achievement two decades after he began his professional basketball career. The two-time NBA champion will participate in the university’s spring commencement on Saturday.

LeBron James, who won titles with Smith in both Cleveland and Los Angeles, celebrated the news on Wednesday. After seeing a post from Slam highlighting the upcoming graduation, James shared his support for his former teammate on his Instagram story.

"SOOOOO PROUD OF YOU," James wrote, tagging Smith in the post.

The connection between the two athletes spans several years and two different franchises. Smith played parts of four seasons with James for the Cleveland Cavaliers, helping the city secure its first NBA championship in 2016. They later reunited in 2020 as members of the Los Angeles Lakers, where they earned another championship together.

Smith, 40, entered the NBA directly out of high school. The New Orleans Hornets selected him with the 18th overall pick in the 2004 draft out of Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School in New Jersey. Following a 16-year career in the league, Smith enrolled at North Carolina A&T in 2021. During his time at the historically Black university, he also competed on the Aggies’ walk-on golf team.

He will receive a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies with a concentration in applied cultural thought. His return to the classroom was marked by academic success, with Smith frequently sharing updates on his studies and his journey as a non-traditional student.

North Carolina A&T will hold two undergraduate ceremonies on Saturday at First Horizon Coliseum. Smith will be joined by his fellow graduates as Queen Latifah delivers the keynote commencement address for the university.