LA Clippers’ North Carolina Ties: The Duke and UNC Rivalry

J.J. Redick, Duke 2002 – 2006

J.J. Redick personified everything the rival schools hate about Duke.

He was the typical sports villain just like former Dream Team gold medalist, Christian Laettner and just like current Blue Devil Grayson Allen.

But Redick had some strong words about the myth of the Duke villain.

"”I think the media has perpetuated this white Duke villain myth as much as anyone. Grayson is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, Jon Scheyer is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met — never seen Jon Scheyer do anything dirty. Greg Paulus, one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met … And you know me too, I probably in a way brought on some of the animosity towards me with the antics, the smiling, the head-bobbing, the trash-talking, but to be honest with you, it was more in reaction to the hate that was already coming my way before I ever really did anything to warrant it. It’s almost like every time there’s a player at Duke, the media says ‘oh, you should dislike this guy’.”"

J.J. is definitely one of the most high-profile “Duke villains” to ever come through to the NBA.

He left the school after four years, as the all-time leader in points and also held the NCAA record for most 3-pointers in a season (later broken by Travis Bader).

In his final year at school, J.J. averaged 26.8 points, two rebounds and 2.6 assists and shot 42% from beyond the arc.

Although he was selected 11th by the Orlando Magic in 2006, many didn’t project J.J. to be more than a bench specialist. However, after years of work and finding the right fit, he has emerged as one of the leagues best shooters. Many expect him to be highly sought after when he hits free agency this summer.