JJ Redick, the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, is said to have denied uttering the S-word.
JJ Redick, the new coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, has allegedly refuted claims that, when attending Duke University, he used derogatory language towards a lady.
On Monday, Redick—a veteran NBA shooting guard—was named the Lakers’ next coach, taking Darvin Ham’s place. Having ended his 15-year playing career, he has worked as an ESPN analyst and podcast host. He has no prior coaching experience in the league.
The allegation that Redick used the N-word came from Lakers fan and Duke alum Halleemah Nash, who wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter: “I’ve only been called the N word to my face by a white man once in my life and it was on the campus of Duke University while I was doing work with the basketball team.
“And today he was named the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. What a world.”
Redick and the Lakers have been contacted by CNN for comments. His representative responded to the accusation by saying, “No, it never happened,” in a statement provided to TMZ.
Nash clarified the circumstances surrounding the reported event in a subsequent post on X, writing, “This was years ago and Im a believer that we all have space to grow – especially from our college level maturity.”
Before entering the NBA Draft, Redick was a standout player for the Duke Blue Devils from 2002 to 2006, leading them to the Final Four in 2004 and taking home the National Player of the Year award in his final year.
Redick spent time in Durham, North Carolina, before starting his NBA career in 2006 with the Orlando Magic, the first of six teams he would play for.
Redick, who co-hosted a basketball podcast with four-time NBA champion LeBron James, may become friends with the player once he takes over as coach of the Lakers.
James, 39, hasn’t specifically discussed his future in the league, so it’s uncertain if he’ll stay with the team for the upcoming season.
