J.R. Smith is officially a college graduate. The former NBA star and two-time champion recently earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts with a concentration in African American culture from North Carolina A&T State University, marking the completion of a personal goal he says began long before basketball fame. Smith reflected on the milestone in an emotional Instagram post, sharing a video of himself preparing for graduation and writing a letter to his younger self. “31 years from now, you’ll have played 16 years in the NBA, won 2 championships, but most importantly, be a college graduate,” Smith wrote. “Don’t let anybody make you believe you aren’t capable of more.” In the message, Smith spoke candidly about losing his grandmother as a child, struggling academically, and being placed in special education after being diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. “Being in special education isn’t a death sentence,” he wrote.…