“It Was Life-Changing”- JJ Redick Talks About How Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski Impacted His Career

JJ Redick is one of the best role-players in the NBA. He found a niche early in his career as a gifted shooter and perfect offensive spark plug. As the perimeter game has grown in the NBA, so has Redick’s value. The 2019-20 season was the first season where Redick missed the playoffs. Considering he was drafted in 2006, that is a long run.

However, Redick became a household name in men’s basketball during his time at Duke University. Redick owes a lot to Duke, and especially Coach Mike Krzyzewski, affectionately called Coach K.

Redick narrated a story in which Coach K sent his teammates to find him and drag him to Coach K’s office where Coach told him to not give up on basketball. JJ says that changed his life.

“Talk about being surrounded by love and to a degree, forgiveness. Looking back, I don’t even think I deserved a second chance. And for you to give me that second chance and say ‘no, we’re going to help you make it right, we’re going to put you on this program, we’re going to put you in this schedule. We’re going to surround you with all the resources you need. You want somebody to talk to? You want help with nutrition. We’re going to give you someone to help you’. It was life-changing.”

JJ Redick and how his career has turned out

Redick was a college star but didn’t enter the NBA with a lot of hype. He wasn’t athletic and had defensive weaknesses. Despite being the 11th overall pick in 2006, Redick struggled to break into the Orlando Magic rotation in his first two seasons. However, Redick was a key member of the Magic team that made it to the 2009 NBA Finals and established himself in the league.

He has played for the ‘Lob City’ LA Clippers and was on the floor when Kawhi Leonard hit one of the most iconic buzzer-beaters on the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 Playoffs. He is now reunited with his coach from Orlando, Stan Van Gundy, on the New Orleans Pelicans. Redick serves as a veteran on a team with a lot of young talent like Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.