Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick took a break from the NBA grind on Tuesday night to check in on his alma mater, and the cameras made sure to find him.
Redick was spotted in the crowd at the United Center in Chicago as Duke took on Michigan State in the State Farm Champions Classic. When he popped up on the jumbotron, the Lakers coach had a funny reaction, pointing at himself to acknowledge the moment, as ESPN shared on X.
“Lakers head coach JJ Redick had to point himself out on the jumbotron,” ESPN wrote. “Enjoying some college hoops.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick had to point himself out on the jumbotron 😂
Enjoying some college hoops 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uVqB7ZaJUo
— ESPN (@espn) November 11, 2026
It was a fitting stop for Redick. He starred at Duke from 2002 to 2006 under legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Redick left Durham as the program’s all-time leading scorer and earned National Player of the Year honors as a senior, and the Blue Devils later retired his No. 4 jersey.
The timing also worked out perfectly for the Lakers coach. Los Angeles had a rare off night on Tuesday in between road games, coming off a 124-114 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday before facing the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.
Redick has plenty of reasons to be in a good mood these days.
Article Continues BelowThe Lakers improved to 11-2 with the win in Atlanta, which saw Luka Doncic return from low back tightness to put up 32 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. Doncic had sat out Sunday’s win over the Detroit Pistons, when Austin Reaves stepped up with a season-high 43 points.
Los Angeles has now won six straight games and sits near the top of the Western Conference standings in Redick’s third season at the helm.
Redick will be back on the sidelines on Wednesday when the Lakers take on the Bucks in Milwaukee, as they look to stretch their winning streak to seven games.