Cavs champion J.R. Smith arrested for assault

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 27: JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the Indiana Pacers on October 27, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

J.R. Smith was arrested for assault in Texas on Tuesday. The former NBA veteran played five seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers and contributed to their 2016 championship.

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Former NBA champion J.R. Smith arrested for assault in Texas.

What we know: https://t.co/O0SGyAGeSkpic.twitter.com/j2YH4BC517

— TMZ (@TMZ) September 29, 2026

TMZ reports that Smith was arrested by Hunt County police for family violence. He was booked on a charge of assault involving family bodily injury.

No bond has been set as of reporting on Tuesday.

Smith, 41, played 16 years in the NBA. He won the league’s Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2013 and officially retired in 2020, following the Los Angeles Lakers’ championship run in the bubble.

After basketball, Smith completed his education at North Caroline A&T University. He graduated in May of 2026.

This story will be updated as more information is reported.