Background and Early Life

Earl Joseph "J.R." Smith III was born on September 9, 1985, in Freehold, New Jersey. He attended Millstone Middle School before transferring between several high schools, including Steinert High School, McCorristin Catholic High School, and Lakewood High School. He ultimately graduated from Saint Benedict's Preparatory School. It was at Lakewood High School that Smith's passion for basketball began to shine, and his transition to Saint Benedict’s significantly enhanced his game.

Smith’s standout performances at Saint Benedict’s caught the attention of college programs, most notably the University of North Carolina under head coach Roy Williams. In 2003, he initially committed to play for the Tar Heels. However, following his MVP performance at the 2004 McDonald’s All-American Game, where he scored 25 points, Smith decided to declare for the 2004 NBA Draft. He was one of nine players that year to make the leap directly from high school to the NBA.

NBA Career and Achievements

Smith was drafted 18th overall in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets. During his rookie season, he earned the Western Conference Rookie of the Month honor for three consecutive months—January, February, and March of 2005. That same year, he participated in the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Competition, finishing third behind Josh Smith and Amare Stoudemire.

Following stints with the Hornets and Denver Nuggets, Smith was traded to the New York Knicks and later joined the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a 2015 trade. Alongside LeBron James, Smith found a consistent role with the Cavaliers. He set a franchise playoff record by making eight three-pointers in a single game against the Atlanta Hawks. The Cavaliers reached the NBA Finals in 2015 but lost to the Golden State Warriors. However, they returned to face the Warriors again the following year and made history by becoming the first team to come back from a 3–1 series deficit to win the NBA Championship in 2016.

There was speculation in 2019 that LeBron James was interested in bringing Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers, although no signing materialized at that time.

Net Worth and Legacy

Throughout his career, J.R. Smith has built a respectable net worth, fueled by his NBA contracts, endorsement deals, and business ventures. Known for his sharpshooting and athleticism, Smith carved out a niche as a dynamic shooting guard with a flair for the dramatic—a valuable asset on multiple playoff-contending rosters.

Family Life and Personal Relationships

J.R. Smith comes from a large family and is one of six siblings. His younger brother, Chris Smith, played college basketball at Manhattan College and the University of Louisville before briefly joining J.R. on the New York Knicks during the 2013–14 NBA season. Another sibling, Dimitrius Smith, played football at Monmouth University.

In 2016, Smith married Jewel Harris. Together, they have three daughters: Dakota, Demi, and Peyton. While Smith has occasionally drawn public attention for his off-court life, he and his wife have maintained their marriage and prioritize their family life.