J.R. Smith

\n', ' Earl Joseph "J. R." Smith III (born September 9, 1985) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played high school basketball at New Jersey basketball powerhouse Saint Benedict\'s Preparatory School in Newark. He entered the NBA out of high school after being selected in the first round of the 2004 NBA draft with the 18th overall pick by the New Orleans Hornets. He has also played for the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks, as well as for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the Chinese Basketball Association. In 2016, Smith helped the Cavaliers win the NBA championship\n', ' Born in Freehold Borough, New Jersey, Smith grew up in the Clarksburg section of Millstone Township, New Jersey. He spent five years in high school. A freshman in 1999–2000, Smith went to Steinert High for the first semester and then McCorristin Catholic High for the next, both in New Jersey. Having not competed in sports for either school, he was permitted to transfer to Lakewood High and repeat his freshman year. He played two seasons of basketball for Lakewood before transferring to Saint Benedict\'s Preparatory School in 2002. Smith was highly rated in football and also played baseball. He focused strictly on basketball as a senior. After winning co-MVP alongside Dwight Howard at the 2004 McDonald\'s All-American Game, Smith decided to forgo college and declared for the 2004 NBA draft.\n', '