It\u2019s a rarity for former a pro athlete to become a analyst in a sport they didn\u2019t play, but J.R. Smith believes he can be an anomaly.<\/p>\n
The two-time NBA champion guard with the Cavaliers and Lakers wants to take his involvement in the golf world to a different level.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to be the Snoop of golf,\u201d Smith, 40, said in a recent interview with The Post, referring to the rapper\u2019s past gigs as a special correspondent and commentator with NBC for three Olympic Games.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019d be a great spot for me.\u201d <\/p>\n
JR Smith plays a shot on the second hole during the second round of the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX 2026 at Thornblade Club on June 5, 2026 in Greer, South Carolina. Getty Images<\/p>\n
That spot includes Smith tapping into the entertainment side of golf, which is seemingly growing by the day between celebrities and influencers as the sport goes through another popularity boom.<\/p>\n
At last year\u2019s Ryder Cup, \u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d comedian and actor Colin Jost hosted a live pregame show and won an all-star celebrity match alongside Giants legend Eli Manning at Bethpage Black in New York.<\/p>\n
Smith is actively pushing the game forward for the younger generation after playing collegiate golf while enrolled at North Carolina A&T<\/a> from 2021-26.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been working on getting into the more entrepreneurial side of golf,\u201d he said. \u201cI honestly want to start hosting my own tournament and events. So, at the high school level, I really want to blow it out of the water from a grassroots side. <\/p>\n \u201cI think there can be a better job of promoting golf and different events and tournaments for the younger generation\u2026 Black people playing the game of golf, that\u2019s where I\u2019m really trying to tap into \u2014 getting people who look like myself into the game.\u201d<\/p>\n JR Smith looks on during the game between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks during Game 5 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals on May 29, 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York. NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n His work includes immersing himself into buzzy events, as well as partnering with top brands around the game. <\/p>\n Smith, an ambassador for Oakley Golf, helped test and promote the brand\u2019s Fusion Collection, a full head-to-toe capsule of golf eyewear, apparel, shoes and accessories that honor the tradition of the game. in January.<\/p>\n \u201c[Golf] is another way for me to be as competitive as I was on court, and even more so because it\u2019s just you competing,\u201d Smith, who is a 16-year NBA veteran, said.<\/p>\n \u201c[In the NBA] you get the team, you know, see the results. So I put a lot of time into my game. My lady would definitely say I did. So for me, I tell you, it\u2019s very serious, and I\u2019m definitely trying to win.\u201d<\/p>\n JR Smith plays a shot on the second hole during the second round of the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX 2026 at Thornblade Club on June 5, 2026 in Greer, South Carolina. Getty Images<\/p>\n Smith and golf influencer Claire Hogle will face off against Paige Spiranac and Big John in the Polymarket Classic on Saturday.<\/p>\n He made his debut in the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA), competing as an amateur in the inaugural Michael Eaves Classic & Celebrity Pro-Am at TPC Louisiana this week.<\/p>\n