At one point, JJ Redick may have been the most hated player in college basketball. Why? Because he was too good, too confident, and wore a Duke jersey.
From 2002 to 2006, Redick lit up college defenses with a deadly three-point shot, intense competitive fire, and a swagger that drove opposing fanbases wild. At Maryland, he was booed relentlessly. At Virginia Tech, fans printed out his phone number. The hate was personal—and often ugly.
But Redick didn’t flinch. Instead, he embraced the villain role and torched defenses on his way to an all-time great career. He won back-to-back ACC Player of the Year awards (2005 and 2006), the Naismith and Wooden Awards in 2006, and became Duke’s all-time leading scorer with 2,769 points—a record that still stands.
He also made 457 three-pointers, one of the highest totals in NCAA history. Redick wasn’t just a shooter—he was a flamethrower.
After Duke, he enjoyed a 15-year NBA career and has since reinvented himself again as a respected basketball analyst and podcast host. His basketball IQ and candid commentary have made him a fan favorite—yes, even to those who once heckled him.
JJ Redick’s journey from NCAA villain to beloved voice of the game is a story of growth, perseverance, and ultimately, respect earned.
