JJ Redick, a sharpshooter who was The Associated Press Player-of-the Year at Duke, before embarking on a 15 season NBA career, announced Tuesday his retirement.
Redick, 37, was a member of six NBA teams: the Clippers, Clippers and 76ers as well as the Bucks, Mavericks, Pelicans, Bucks, Clippers and Pelicans. Redick averaged 12.8 points per 940 regular-season matches. His 1,950 career 3-point field goals rank him 15th among NBA players.
"As a 7 year old boy, I dreamed of playing for Duke when I grew up. Redick shared his dream of playing in the NBA on his podcast "The Old Man and the Three". "The past 30 years of basketball were beyond my wildest dreams. It was impossible to imagine that I would play basketball for so many years. After many years of playing basketball in youth leagues, AAU and high school, as well as four years at Duke, 15 years in the NBA, it's time to retire from the sport I love so deeply.
Redick is Duke's all time leading scorer with 2,769 points during his college career. Redick is also Duke's all time leader in 3-pointers with 457 points and free throw accuracy of 91.2%. Redick was a senior and averaged 26.8 point, another Duke record. He won the AP Player of the Year award, and was then selected by Orlando with the 11th overall pick in the NBA draft 2006.
In his 13 first pro seasons, he was in the NBA playoffs. He reached the NBA Finals with Orlando and scored a career-high 40 point game for the Clippers against Houston in overtime on January 18, 2016.
He was limited to 44 games with the Mavericks and Pelicans last season due to injuries. His 37% shooting percentage from 3-point range was the second-lowest of his career. He averaged 7.4 points and shot only 37%, which was the lowest mark in his career. This marked the first time that he had not been a double-digit scorer for more than a decade.
Redick stated that it was difficult because of a variety of reasons. "Being hurt, being away with my family, COVID protocols, and really, truly not performing up to my standards. "I would describe last season as a seven month exercise in coming to terms with my own athletic mortality. It was frightening and confusing.
Redick answered some teams' questions about his availability for the season. He said that he would let them know if he was available before deciding whether or not he wants to continue playing one more year. Now, with training camps all around the league starting next week, Redick has made his decision.
Redick stated, "I now have clarity and I know it is time." It's time to become a father. It's now that I can reflect and pause before getting ready for the next stage of my life.
