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"I probably played 70 percent of my career depressed" - JR Smith pulls back the curtain on his career
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- "I probably played 70 percent of my career depressed" - JR Smith pulls back the curtain on his career
Although he wasn't a superstar by any means and didn't manage to tap into the full potential he had coming out of high school, Smith created a solid resume that not many players could counter. His 16-year tenure was highlighted by some major accomplishments, including two championships with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
With that, JR grabbed some individual accolades, such as a Sixth Man of the Year trophy he won in 2013.
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Aside from the tangible trophies, JR was one of the most reliable and respected role players during his era. His elite three-point shooting, shot-creating and athleticism made him a reliable offensive player any team would love to have as a complementary piece. On the other side of the court, Smith was more than a capable defender when he tried, but was often inconsistent and lacked effort.
On the financial side, Smith's career earnings of over $90 million mirrored his success as a solid role player. When all is said and done, it seems like he had it all. On the inside, however, the truth is vastly different.
JR played most of his career depressed
Coming out of high school, Smith lacked proper guidance as an 18-year-old prospect who was ready to make a name for himself in the league. Early on, he was known for his eccentric character, which led him to make un-called-for decisions that followed him for the rest of his career.
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"The car accident, losing my best friend, continuously being benched for stupid s—t, missing the bus. I went through things with my mental health consistently and long enough to where it's like, I feel like I played 16 years, I probably played 70 percent of my career depressed," said Smith.
"That's crazy to think about. That's nuts. And to still be able to have, I would say, a good career, it wasn't great, it was a good career, but I literally think about this s—t all the time, bro. My potential was so high in that aspect of it; I do live with regret in that. It keeps me up at night, I can't lie."
Because of his poor mental state in his early career, JR frequently had internal issues and battles with coaches and front offices due to his behavior that got him benched, fined, or suspended.
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Those behavioral issues peaked on June 9, 2007, when Smith ran through a stop sign while speeding, leading to an eventual collision with another vehicle, leaving him with minor injuries but his best friend, Andre Bell, with severe head trauma, before he passed away two days later. As a result, JR was sentenced to 90 days in prison.
Today, however, he is doing much better.
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JR has turned his life around post-NBA
Although he still faces major trauma from his younger self and regrets not taking his career more seriously, Smith has proactively reshaped his life for the better after he stepped away from the league in 2020.
Most notably, he enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University, where he graduated with a degree in liberal studies with an impressive 4.0 GPA and was named the college's Academic Athlete of the Year.
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Still, JR's competitive spirit never left him as he channeled it by walking onto the university's Division I golf team. Once an athlete, always an athlete.
Smith is a clear example of how everybody can turn their life around. It's never too late to take control and change your life for the better.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jul 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
