Los Angeles Lakers veteran guard JR Smith recently joined SI.com to reflect on his NBA journey. Amid the discussion, the 35-year-old New Jersey native noted that he could have went professional in three or four different sports.

“I have a lot of talent,” J.R. Smith said simply, via SI.com. “I could have probably gone professional at three or four different sports.”

Smith's comment may seem a bit brash, but he's telling the truth. He's enjoyed a 16-year career in the NBA, but there was a time when he was considering other sports. While attending Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, NJ, several Division I colleges became interested in his skills as a baseball player. He was also a highly-rated football player, though he ultimately decided to pursue a basketball career.

Prior to transferring to Saint Benedict's, JR Smith played five different positions for Lakewood High School, including wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback, safety, and quarterback. And believe it or not, Clemson offered him a football scholarship after his junior year there. However, Swish transferred to St. Benedict's Prep to repeat his junior year, then decided to drop football altogether.

It quickly became evident that Smith was gifted on the basketball court. In one high school game, he outscored an entire team through three quarters.

It's worth noting that Smith's father, Earl, played college and semipro basketball. JR often credits his dad for installing a love of sports in his psyche from a young age.

“My dad can shoot the lights out,” the Lakers veteran once said of his father, via heavy.com. “He was a better shooter than I am. He was more consistent, too. He never let me win. Never.”

Smith went on to become one of the last high school players to jump straight to the NBA, rejecting a separate scholarship offer from UNC. He was taken 18th overall by the New Orleans Hornets in the 2004 NBA Draft.

And let's not forget about JR's talent on the golf course. Believe it or not, he can actually drive the ball 300-plus yards off the tee, and he once held a handicap of 13. Even in the bubble, Smith made some time for a few practice swings in his down time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=draOuH5Q9VE

Smith joined the Lakers prior to the restart of this season, and now he finds himself competing for another NBA championship.