Blue Devil Country

LeBron James Compares Former Duke Basketball Star to Coach K

The NBA great sees some of the five-time Duke basketball national champion in Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski
Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski / EILEEN BLASS / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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It was quite a surprise when former Duke basketball standout and NBA veteran JJ Redick was named the Los Angeles Lakers head coach last year. But just under a year later, Redick has the Lakers primed for a run in the NBA Playoffs and is receiving overwhelming praise from his superstar player, LeBron James.

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During his recent appearance on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show, James spoke about his feelings with regard to the Duke basketball program. In doing so, he compared his head coach to Blue Devil legend and former Team USA head coach, Mike Krzyzewski.

When asked by McAfee if he thought Redick had a lot of Coach K in him, James emphatically agreed.

“Absolutely, absolutely,” he said on the show. “He’s meant for it, and there’s some things that can’t be explained. But when you got the ‘it' factor, it’s just like, ‘Oh, yeah.’”

The 2024-25 Lakers sit at No. 5 in the Western Conference standings with their 43-28 record.

Redick was a standout player in the Duke basketball program under Krzyzewski's command, winning Naismith Player of the Year and later having his No. 4 jersey retired before enjoying a 15-year NBA career as a reliable sharpshooter.

ALSO READ: Ex-Duke Forward TJ Power Back in Transfer Portal

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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