J.R. Smith: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Jordan Smith Jr. enters his freshman year with a lot of hype. The reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year headlines an Arkansas Razorback roster filled with young talent.

Kansas City Chiefs News / NFLTradeRumors.co / September 15

Chiefs Signing CB Melvin Smith Jr.

Aaron Wilson of KPRC reports the Chiefs are signing CB Melvin Smith Jr. to the practice squad. Smith, 24, signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Arkansas following the 2025 draft.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 15

Jabari Smith Jr. Ranked Top 20 Power Forward in NBA

Jabari Smith Jr. is one of the developing talents that have made a meaningful impact in the Houston Rockets’ starting lineup. Last season, Smith averaged 15.8 points and 6.9 rebounds over 77 games.

Amen Thompson News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most points in a game by NBA team' quiz

How many of the players to score the most points in one game for each NBA team in the 2025-26 season can you name in five minutes?

The '2025-26 NBA double-double leaders' quiz

The 'NBA minutes leaders by season' quiz

The 'Most 30-point NBA games at 35+' quiz

NBA News / Fadeaway World / September 13

Former Lakers Guard Nick Smith Jr. Leaves NBA To Sign One-Year Deal With Real Madrid

Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Smith Jr. is taking his talents overseas after agreeing to a one-year deal with European powerhouse Real Madrid. According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Smith has agreed to the deal after hitting unrestricted free agency this offseason.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest NBA Finals performances of all-time

The regular season is important, but NBA legends are made in the playoffs. More specifically, it's the Finals where the all-time greats have built their otherworldly reputations.

NBA News / Lakers Nation / September 12

Nick Smith Jr. Close To Signing With Real Madrid

The Los Angeles Lakers experienced major roster turnover this offseason as they look to better cater to the needs of star Luka Doncic. That naturally led to the departure of numerous players, one being former two-way guard Nick Smith Jr.

NBA News / Hoops Wire / September 12

Former Lakers guard Nick Smith Jr. nearing deal with Real Madrid

Nick Smith Jr. may be taking his scoring overseas. The former Lakers guard is close to signing with Real Madrid, according to Sportando, which cited Chema de Lucas.

NBA News / Hoops Rumors / September 12

Nick Smith Jr. Reportedly Close To Signing With Real Madrid

Could Nick Smith Jr. continue his career overseas? He’s reportedly close to signing with Real Madrid, Sportando relays via Chema de Lucas. Smith hit the free agent market after the Lakers declined their option on his 2026/27 contract in late June.

Kansas City Chiefs News / A to Z Sports / September 11

Ex-Kansas City Chiefs defender who got away during 53-man roster cuts could soon be available to re-sign to the practice squad

The Kansas City Chiefs might have another shot to bring back CB Melvin Smith Jr., who was claimed by the Tennessee Titans during 53-man roster cuts. The Kansas City Chiefs may have a second chance at sneaking a player onto their practice squad after he was an important piece of the 90-man offseason roster during the last several months.

Cleveland Cavaliers News / Cleveland Cavaliers on SI / September 9

Ranking J.R. Smith’s Most Moments With Cleveland Cavaliers

The J.R. Smith run in Cleveland truly had it all. The good. The bad. The ugly. He hit a crazy number of timely threes and always seemed to be going for the most difficult shots possible.

NBA News / The Spun / September 6

Two Former NFL Players Dead Suddenly Before Week 1

Two former NFL players have tragically died suddenly before Week 1 of the 2026 regular season. Earlier this month, former NFL cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 best NBA players to never play in college

Typically, the path to the NBA for most players is to spend at least a season in college to get high-level basketball and important development under their belts.

College Basketball News / NBA Draft on SI / September 5

NBA Draft: Previewing Arkansas Basketball' s Top Prospects

We're less than three months away from the 2026-27 college basketball season, with Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisville among the top projected teams this upcoming season.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons News / Wake Forest Demon Deacons on SI / September 4

Remembering Alphonso Smith Jr.

Alphonso Smith Jr. was an All-American cornerback who played for the Demon Deacons from 2005 to 2008. Smith passed away Wednesday morning, according to reports from Wake Forest and his family.

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The '10K-yard, 80-TD NFL receivers' quiz

The '5+ rushing-TD NFL seasons' quiz

The 'Most yards through two NFL seasons' quiz

The 'Women's U.S. Open champions' quiz

NBA News / Total Pro Sports / September 4

NFL Hit With Serious ‘Warning’ Following Former Player’s Death At 40

The NFL is facing criticism from former players following the death of former cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr., who died at age 40. TMZ Sports reported that Smith died by suicide on Wednesday at a housing community in Florida.

NFL Receives 'Warning' After Former Player Is Found Dead at 40

The NFL is getting warned by former players after an ex-cornerback was found dead at 40. Former NFL cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr. was found dead this week.

Alphonso Smith Jr. Death Casts a Dark Shadow Over The Return Of NFL Football

Retired NFL player Alphonso Smith Jr. was found dead in a Florida housing community on Wednesday. The former Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos cornerback’s death was reported as a suicide.

NFL News / Viral Sports News / September 3

Former Denver Broncos Defender Has Died

Alphonso Smith Jr., the former Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions cornerback whose ball-hawking instincts made him one of the most decorated defensive backs in Wake Forest history, has died at 40.

Ex-Lions Star Alphonso Smith Jr. Dies at 40 Hours After Sharing Troubling Social Media Post

Former Detroit Lions cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr. has died at 40, just hours after a social media post that left fans and former teammates unsettled. Smith spent parts of four seasons with the Denver Broncos and Lions.

Detroit Lions News / Viral Sports News / September 2

Former Detroit Lions Defender Has Died

Former Detroit Lions cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr. has died at 40. Smith, born Oct. 20, 1985, in Pahokee, Florida, died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, at a housing community in Florida, according to reports.

Cause of Death Announced For Ex-NFL Player Found Dead at 40

A cause of death has been announced for an ex-NFL player tragically found dead at 40 years old. Alphonso Smith Jr., a former NFL cornerback who played in the league from 2009-12, was found dead on Wednesday, September 2.

NBA News / The Spun / September 2

Former NFL Player Alphonso Smith Jr. Found Dead At 40

Former NFL cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr. has passed away this week. He was only 40. Smith, a former All-ACC player at Wake Forest, was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 37th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

NFL News / Dallas Sports Journal / September 1

Mazi Smith Gets Another AFC East Opportunity After Jets Move On

MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins added former Dallas Cowboys first-round defensive tackle Mazi Smith to their practice squad Tuesday, the team announced. Miami added eight players to the practice squad that afternoon.

2027 NBA Draft: A First Look at Arkansas’ Guard Jordan Smith Jr.

Arkansas head coach John Calipari has made an illustrious career out of sending talented guards to the NBA, and Jordan Smith Jr. is likely to be the next five-star in line to do so. The No.

NBA News / Fadeaway World / August 31

J.R Smith Calls Out Lakers Players And Fans For Turning Their Backs On Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook’s difficult time with the Los Angeles Lakers went way beyond basketball, as J.R. Smith argued that the former MVP was hurt by the people who turned against him.

NFL News / Viral Sports News / August 29

Chiefs Slammed With New Injury Blow at Already Thin Position

The Kansas City Chiefs’ preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks delivered more than a final look at the roster. It delivered another injury scare, this one involving second-year cornerback Melvin Smith Jr., who left Friday night’s game at Arrowhead after a painful collision and did not return.

NBA News / Larry Brown Sports / August 1

JR Smith hilariously lost his cool during celebrity golf event

JR Smith almost had a bit of a meltdown on Saturday while taking part in a celebrity golf event. Smith was one of the players in the Polymarket Classic, which featured him competing in pairs against golf influencers including Paige Spiranac.