J. J. Redick

J. J. Redick – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life, career, and philosophy of J. J. Redick — from his sharpshooting days at Duke and in the NBA, to his transition into media and coaching. Discover his key moments, insights, and defining quotes.

Introduction

Jonathan Clay “J. J.” Redick (born June 24, 1984) is widely recognized as one of the cleanest shooters in basketball history. Over a 15-season NBA career and a stellar college tenure at Duke, he built a reputation not just on shotmaking but on discipline, professionalism, and cerebral approach to the game. Following his playing days, he became a successful media personality and in 2024 took on a new challenge as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Through triumphs, setbacks, and reinvention, Redick’s story offers lessons about perseverance, adaptability, and identity.

Early Life, Family & Education

J. J. Redick was born in Cookeville, Tennessee, to parents Jeanie and Ken Redick.

He grew up in a family with strong athletic leanings: his older twin sisters, Catie and Alyssa, played college basketball, and his younger siblings also participated in sports.

Redick attended Cave Spring High School in Roanoke, Virginia, where he became a McDonald’s All-American and earned Virginia Mr. Basketball honors. Duke University, majoring in history with a minor in cultural anthropology.

College Career at Duke

Redick’s college years at Duke (2002–2006) were extraordinary, and they laid the foundation for his identity as a high-precision shooter and poised competitor.

• He became Duke’s all-time leading scorer and broke many scoring and three-point records.

• He earned numerous national awards, including Naismith College Player of the Year (2006), Wooden Award, and Adolph Rupp Trophy.

• He also set NCAA and ACC records in free throw percentages (career FT% of ~91.2%) and three-point shooting.

• His jersey number 4 was retired by Duke in February 2007.

While at Duke, Redick faced enormous pressure, criticism, and animosity from rival fans—he often was booed or targeted by opposing crowds. These experiences helped shape his mental resilience and sharpened his competitive edge.

Professional NBA Career

Draft & Early Years

In the 2006 NBA Draft, Redick was selected 11th overall by the Orlando Magic.

He played in Orlando from 2006 to 2013, gradually carving out a role as a floor-spacing starter and three-point specialist.

Later Career & Team Moves

• In 2013, he was traded to Milwaukee Bucks midseason.

• He then signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he had some of his most efficient seasons.

• Later he played for the Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, and ended his career with the Dallas Mavericks in 2021.

• On September 21, 2021, Redick officially retired from playing professional basketball.

Throughout his career, Redick was consistently among league leaders in three-point accuracy, and he set franchise records in several seasons for three-point makes and efficiency.

Post-Playing Career & Coaching

After retiring, Redick transitioned into media:

• He became an analyst for ESPN, appearing in studio shows and commentary roles.

• He also built a presence in podcasting. In 2016, he launched a podcast on Yahoo Sports, later moving to The Ringer and then founding his own media company, ThreeFourTwo Productions.

• In June 2024, Redick was named head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers—this marked his first formal head coaching role.

• His adoption of coaching is seen by many as a logical next chapter given his analytical mind, communication skills, and experience in media and strategy.

Legacy and Influence

J. J. Redick’s legacy in basketball is tied to several defining qualities:

1. Elite shooting and floor spacing — he helped modernize how perimeter shooting is valued by stretching defenses and creating spacing.

2. Professionalism and longevity — he maintained relevance over many years by adapting, refining his craft, and embracing new roles.

3. Intellectual approach — his commitment to understanding the game, routines, mental conditioning, and control over what he can influence set him apart.

4. Media and thought leadership — post-playing, he became a respected voice in basketball analysis and commentary, influencing how former players bridge into media.

5. Coaching potential — his move into coaching signals a new phase and may further enhance his influence on next generations of players.

Famous Quotes of J. J. Redick

Here are some notable quotes that reflect Redick’s mindset and worldview:

“I always talk about shooting being broken down into three things. You have to have some semblance of good form. The second part is repetition: doing things over and over again until you really develop a skillset. And then the third part is confidence.” “At the end of every season I look in the mirror and ask myself what can I do better? Where did I screw up this year?” “As we grow up and we’re developing, our ego needs to be contained, otherwise we’d all be selfish two- and three-year-olds, screaming every time we didn’t get our way.” “I have this personality where I’m all in on something or I’m off of it.” “To be able to give back and be able to help people, it means a lot to me. I’m humbled by it, honestly.” “I’m not naive — I think it’s rare in the NBA every day to actually be able to enjoy being around the people you're working with.”

These quotes emphasize themes of self-reflection, effort, balance between ego and discipline, and the importance of purpose beyond personal success.

Lessons from J. J. Redick

From Redick’s life and career, we can draw several lessons applicable to athletes, professionals, or anyone pursuing mastery:

• Master fundamentals before flair. Consistency, form, and repetition are foundational.

• Focus on what you can control. He often speaks about narrowing attention to habits, routines, and attitude.

• Adapt to new roles. From scorer to role player, then analyst and coach—he embraced changing contexts.

• Stay analytical and curious. He never stopped learning: basketball, media, communication.

• Embrace criticism and adversity. He turned harsh scrutiny into internal fuel.

• Aim for legacy, not just statistics. His evolution shows that lasting impact may come from influence and leadership beyond performance.

Conclusion

J. J. Redick’s journey is one of transformation: from a highly decorated college player to a respected NBA veteran, then to media voice and coach. His identity as a sharpshooter is complemented by his values of reflection, continuous improvement, and intellectual engagement with the game. As he leads the Lakers into a new era, his legacy continues to grow—not just in points made, but in lessons shared.