Knicks' J.R. Smith Arrested on Bench Warrant in Miami Beach

The warrant was for not having a valid driver's license

Knicks guard J.R. Smith was arrested in Miami Beach Thursday night on a bench warrant for not having a valid driver's license.

The 26-year-old, whose real name is Earl Joseph Smith, was arrested around 9 p.m., Miami Beach Police spokesman Sgt. Bobby Hernandez said.

Hernandez says he was stopped on Washington Avenue and a routine search revealed the bench warrant. It wasn't known why police initially stopped Smith.

Smith was booked into jail just before midnight and bonded out early Friday, officials said. No attorney for him was listed on jail records.

Smith was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft. He was later traded to the Denver Nuggets, where he spent five seasons.

He played in China during the NBA lockout earlier this year before signing with the Knicks. 

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