When did J.R. Smith retire from the NBA? Why did J.R. Smith retire?

J.R Smith was drafted out of high school with the 18th overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft. He received the Sixth Man of the Year trophy in 2013.

J.R Smith retired in 2020. At his age and savings, the world was his oyster, maybe several oysters.

For 19 months, J.R Smith was in a dark place. He admitted that he was depressed, and didn’t want to play video games or play basketball. His career was over, but he wasn’t ready. It was premature, pushed out instead of walking out.

Why did J.R. Smith retire?

J.R Smith said he retired because, “I felt like I had everything, but I still wasn’t whole with me, because I knew there was something missing”. After retiring from the NBA later that year, Smith started pursuing a liberal art studies degree at North Carolina A&T State University, the largest HBCU in the country.