Ex-NBA champ JR Smith in jail on family violence charge

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  Michael RothsteinSep 29, 2026, 01:57 PM ET

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  Michael Rothstein, based in Atlanta, is a reporter on ESPN's investigative and enterprise team. You can follow him via Twitter @MikeRothstein.

Former NBA champion JR Smith was arrested Monday in Texas on a charge of assault causing "bodily injury family violence," according to jail records.

Smith, 41, was booked into Hunt County Detention Center Monday after being arrested by the Royse City Police Department. No bond has been set and Smith apparently remained in jail as of midday Tuesday, according to jail records.

Smith's representatives did not immediately respond to an ESPN message requesting comment.

The Royse City police department received an alert indicating the Southlake police department had issued a warrant for Smith, according to a release from Kirk Aldridge, the Royse City chief of police. Smith's license plate was spotted on Interstate 30, northeast of Dallas. Officers identified Smith and arrested him.

Smith was driving with his brother, Aldridge stated. Police released the car to Smith's brother when they arrested Smith.

A Southlake police spokesperson told ESPN he could not release further information on Smith's arrest at this time. Southlake is northwest of Dallas.

In 2009, Smith was sentenced to 90 days in jail -- with 60 days suspended -- and 500 hours of community service for reckless driving after causing a car accident that killed one of his friends in 2007. Smith expressed remorse, telling the court in 2009 that "it's been unbearable to deal with. I'm deeply sorry," The Associated Press reported at the time.

Smith played 16 seasons in the NBA for New Orleans Hornets, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers. He last played a game in 2020 with the Lakers and averaged 12.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists during his career.

He won two NBA championships as a player and was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2013. After his NBA career, Smith played college golf for North Carolina A&T. He graduated from the school in May.