<P> Earl Joseph `` J.R. '' Smith III ( born September 9 , 1985 ) is an American professional basketball player 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 ( now known as the New Orleans Pelicans ) . Over his NBA career , Smith has also played for the Hornets , Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks . Smith also played overseas for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the Chinese Basketball Association due to the 2011 NBA lockout. Smith won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016 . </P>
where did jr smith go to high school
New Jersey basketball powerhouse Saint Benedict 's Preparatory School in Newark