Former Duke star JJ Redick considered ‘front-runner’ to coach Los Angeles Lakers
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LOS ANGELES (WGHP) — Former NBA player and Duke University’s all-time leading scorer JJ Redick is considered the front-runner to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Redick, 39, famously starred for the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team from 2002 to 2006. His 2,769 points remain the most ever-scored by a player in the history of the program.
He twice won ACC Player of the Year and was the consensus national college player of the year his senior season.
GREENSBORO, NC – MARCH 12: J.J Redick #4 of the Duke Blue Devils salutes the crowd as he cuts down the net after his team’s 78-76 win over the Boston College Eagles during the finals of the Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament on March 12, 2006 at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Redick would go on to be selected with the 11th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic and had a 15-year NBA career. He played in the NBA Finals against the Lakers in 2009 with the Magic.
Basketball: Orlando Magic J.J. Redick (7) in action vs Atlanta Hawks. Orlando, FL 10/6/2008 CREDIT: Bill Frakes (Photo by Bill Frakes /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
The best years of Redick’s career were from 2013-2019 and were spent with the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers. He would then spend his last two seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks before retiring.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 09: JJ Redick #17 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Toronto Raptors in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Raptors 112-101. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: J.J. Redick #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers dribble drives to the basket as Steve Blake #25 of the Portland Trail Blazers tries to defend the play in the second half during the NBA game at Staples Center on November 8, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
Away from basketball, Redick has also become known in the basketball media space. He currently hosts “The Old Man and The Three” podcast and is an NBA color commentator for ESPN.
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 26: JJ Redick announces the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on October 26, 2022, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
He also hosts the “Mind the Game” podcast with Lakers star LeBron James.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball over JJ Redick #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on November 27, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The Athletic reports that Redick is “the front-runner” to be the Lakers’ next coach. His former coach at Duke, Mike Krzyzewski, has been a “respected unofficial resource” for the Lakers during the coaching search.
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski (right) directs J.J. Redick (left) during the Blue Devils 92-71 win over Miami Sunday, February 19, 2006, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/WireImage)
Redick was also a candidate for the Charlotte Hornets’ coaching vacancy. He interviewed for the position and Charania reported that he was a “serious candidate” for the position.
