Celebrity Biographies
J. R. Smith Biography And Net Worth
Meet J.R. Smith: A Basketball Icon
J.R. Smith is a big name in the basketball world. In this article, RNN will tell you all about him, from his early life, career and net worth
Earl Joseph “J.R.” Smith III is an American who used to play professional basketball in the NBA. He didn’t go to college, he jumped straight into the NBA after high school. He was picked in the first round of the 2004 NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets, and he was the 18th overall pick. Smith also played for the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks, and he had a stint with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China’s basketball league. He’s got two NBA championships to his name: one with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and another with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
Bio Data
The table below provides a brief summary of J.R. Smith
| Full Name | Earl Joseph “J.R.” Smith III |
| Popularly Known as | J.R. Smith |
| Date Of Birth | September 9, 1985 |
| Age | 38 Years Old |
| Place Of Birth | Freehold Borough, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Profession | Basketball Player |
| Net Worth | $35 Million |
| Marital Status | Married |
Early Life
J.R. Smith was born on September 9, 1985, in Freehold Borough, New Jersey, and had his roots in the Clarksburg area of Millstone Township. His high school years were unique, spanning five years due to some school switches.
In 1999-2000, as a freshman, Smith attended Steinert High for the first semester and then moved to McCorristin Catholic High, both in New Jersey. Surprisingly, he didn’t participate in any sports during his time at these schools. This led to his transfer to Lakewood High, where he repeated his freshman year. At Lakewood High, he hit the basketball court for two seasons. However, his journey didn’t stop there. In 2002, he made another switch, this time to Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School.
Smith was not only skilled in basketball but also had a high rating in football and played baseball. As a senior, he decided to focus exclusively on basketball. His talents on the court attracted the attention of college recruiters, and after a competitive recruitment process, he committed to playing college basketball at North Carolina.
But just when it seemed he was headed to college, Smith’s fortunes took a different turn. Following an outstanding performance, where he shared the co-MVP title with Dwight Howard at the 2004 McDonald’s All-American Game, Smith made a bold decision. He chose to skip college and declared himself eligible for the 2004 NBA draft. This marked the beginning of his remarkable journey to the National Basketball Association.
Professional Career
From 2004 to 2006, Smith joined the New Orleans Hornets as the 18th overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft. He had a good start, winning the Western Conference Rookie of the Month three times and even competing in the 2005 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where he finished third. In his first season, he averaged 10.3 points in 76 games, mostly as a starter. However, in the following season, his performance dipped as he only averaged 7.7 points in 55 games, with fewer starts.
Smith’s relationship with his coach, Byron Scott, soured due to his lack of effort and commitment. He started the 2005–06 season as the team’s starting shooting guard but ended up not playing much.
In 2006, he was traded to the Denver Nuggets, where he faced challenges, including a suspension and injuries. He struggled in the playoffs and was benched in a crucial game against the San Antonio Spurs.
2007 –
During the 2007–08 season, Smith had his best shooting percentages. In the 2008–09 season, he scored 15.2 points per game and finished second in the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award voting. He also participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in February 2009.
In 2009, he had a remarkable game where he scored a career-high 45 points and made 11 three-pointers to help the Nuggets win the Northwest Division title. However, his shot selection often frustrated his coach, George Karl.
Smith played for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) during the 2011–2012 season due to the NBA lockout. He had an impressive run in China, averaging 34.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.5 steals per game.
2012 – 15
In 2012, he returned to the NBA, signing with the New York Knicks. He had a strong 2012–13 season, averaging 18.1 points, earning him the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Smith re-signed with the Knicks in 2013 and continued to make headlines, both for his scoring ability and occasional off-court issues.
In 2015, he joined the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played a significant role in their run to the NBA Finals but ultimately lost to the Golden State Warriors.
Smith re-signed with the Cavaliers in 2015 and contributed to their first NBA championship in 2016.
He continued to play for the Cavaliers until the 2018–19 season when his role diminished, and he was eventually waived by the team.
In 2020, he briefly joined the Los Angeles Lakers and won his second NBA championship before retiring from professional basketball after Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.
Personal Life
Smith’s parents are Ida and Earl Smith, and he has three brothers and two sisters. In 2013–14, his brother Chris briefly played on the Knicks with him. Another brother, Dimitrius, played football at Monmouth University.
In August 2016, J.R. Smith married Jewel Harris, and they have three daughters. Smith also has one daughter from a previous relationship. Their second daughter was born in January 2017, and she weighed just one pound at birth. Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul, former teammates, are the godfathers of his first two daughters.
Net Worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, J.R. Smith has an estimated net worth of $35 million.
FAQs
Does J.R. Smith have a kid?
What is J.R. Smith’s net worth?
J.R. Smith has an estimated net worth of $35 million.