Former Duke basketball star JJ Redick is said to be in the forefront for a position on ESPN’s primary NBA broadcast team
Last week, Doc Rivers, father of former Duke basketball one-and-done Austin Rivers, became the Milwaukee Bucks head coach. That move left play-by-play voice Mike Breen and analyst Doris Burke without the third piece to ABC/ESPN’s lead NBA broadcast trio.
As per Andrew Marchand of The New York Post, ESPN is contemplating adding a new member to the team after the All-Star break (Feb. 16-21), and the leading candidate for the role is none other than the retired 15-year NBA veteran and former four-year standout for the Blue Devils, JJ Redick.
Marchand’s sources indicate that ESPN will make a decision during the break on whether to bring in Redick or stick with the current duo of Breen and Burke. As of now, there are no other prominent contenders in consideration. However, Marchand pointed out that 43-year-old analyst and former NBA champion forward Richard Jefferson could emerge as a candidate if ESPN decides against pursuing the option with Redick.
As things stand, the 39-year-old JJ Redick, whose No. 4 is among 13 retired Duke basketball jersey numbers as the program’s still-standing all-time leading scorer (2,769 points), is in his first season as a member of ESPN’s No. 2 NBA broadcast squad alongside Jefferson and play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco.
Redick is a former NBA journeyman, having played for six franchises, and his expertise and passion are routinely on display during his various appearances on ESPN.
During his last two seasons in the league, Redick served as a teammate to fellow Duke basketball alumni Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram with the New Orleans Pelicans. He concluded his career with an impressive 41.5% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc, securing the 18th spot in NBA history for three-point shooting percentage.