Former NBA star J.R. Smith was arrested in Texas after a traffic stop revealed an active warrant for family violence assault. Smith was pulled over on a Texas interstate after authorities said an automatic license plate reader alerted a nearby officer that Smith was a wanted person.
The check of the license plate showed an active warrant for a wanted person out of the Southlake Police Department, Royse City Chief of Police Kirk Aldridge said in a statement. The wanted person was Earl Joseph Smith III — J.R. Smith's full name — and the charge was for family violence assault causing bodily injury. A traffic stop was conducted, the driver was identified as Smith, the warrant was confirmed, and he was taken into custody.
Jail records showed Smith was booked on one misdemeanor count of assault causing bodily injury, family violence. He was released on $5,000 bond on Tuesday night, the records showed. He is due in court for a hearing in the case later this month, according to court records. Disturbing details of the allegations began emerging in media reports in the days after the arrest.
Smith played in the NBA from 2004 to 2020, logging minutes for several teams including the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. He won two championships in his career and earned the 2012-13 Sixth Man of the Year award. Known for his streaky three-point shooting and colorful personality, he became a fan favorite and a lightning rod for controversy in equal measure.
In recent years, Smith has reinvented himself off the court. He walked on to the men's golf team at North Carolina A&T, pursuing a longtime passion for the sport, and has been competing in amateur golf tournaments. His academic journey at the historically Black university drew widespread praise as an example of an athlete investing in life after basketball.
The arrest marks a jarring turn for the 41-year-old. Smith has not publicly commented on the charge. Legal experts note that family violence assault cases in Texas can carry serious consequences even as misdemeanors, including potential jail time, and the coming court hearing will determine the next steps in the case. Smith was a key contributor to the Cavaliers' 2016 championship team, hitting clutch three-pointers during the franchise's historic Finals comeback. That legacy, and his well-documented second act in the classroom and on the golf course, makes the arrest all the more stunning to fans who have followed his reinvention.