JR Smith Reportedly Accused of Choking High School Student in New York City

Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith has reportedly been accused of attacking a teenager in New York City. 

According to Shayna Jacobs and Rocco Parascandola of the New York Daily News, 19-year-old high school student Justin Brown accused Smith of choking him outside of Artichoke Basille's Pizza on Nov. 13 "after the younger man quipped about the hoopster's trade to Cleveland."

Smith addressed the accusations, per Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com:

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"First of all, things aren't being reported the right way, but the team and I have spoken. We had conversations with coach [David Blatt], [general manager David] Griff and some of the players. I just don't want to be a distraction to anybody else and I've just got to move forward."

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Cleveland was in New York for a Nov. 13 game against the Knicks. The alleged incident is reported to have happened around 4 a.m. that day.

Brown, per the report, said, "That's why New York kicked you out, yo!" Following that remark, police sources said Smith allegedly "checked him against the exterior of the building and put his hands around Brown's neck," according to Jacobs and Parascandola. 

Smith's lawyer, Alex Spiro, told the Daily News that the allegations against his client are "completely false." Spiro added "there's no reason to think [Smith] will ever be charged," per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

The Daily News report noted Smith has not been arrested and Brown, who was with friends, began berating the 30-year-old "for ignoring their fan request for a photo." 

An NBA spokesman told Fedor, "We are aware of the reports and are in the process of obtaining more information."

Before the Knicks traded him to the Cavaliers in January, Smith spent more than three seasons in New York from 2011-15.