Up Close With The Pittsburgh Sports Report
JJ Redick

J.J. Redick is a senior guard and co-captain of the Duke Blue Devils basketball team, a preseason favorite to win a national title. Redick was the National Player of the Year and ACC Player of the Year last season. PSR’s Jeff Breese recently caught up with Redick.

PSR: What would make this upcoming season a success in your mind? Is the season a failure if you leave Duke without a national title?

J.J. Redick: My main focus is on the team. I am not really worried about any individual goals or individual awards. I think my biggest focus, as well as the other guys on the team, is to win the national championship. If we play hard every day and we reach our potential but don’t win a national championship then the season won’t be a failure.

PSR: Duke seems to play St. John’s about every year. Is that a rivalry for Duke?

JR: I think we are both storied programs. St. John’s has had a lot of success over the years in the Big East. Since we started this rivalry with St. John’s there have been some great games. I can remember when Bootsy Thornton had 41 against Duke and when they beat us up there my freshman year on a Marcus Hatten free throw with no time left. It is a good rivalry.

PSR: Compare the style of ACC basketball to that of Big East basketball.

JR: Both leagues are pretty similar. I think the ACC is maybe a little more wide open and a little more perimeter oriented. The Big East tends to have a lot of big guys.

PSR: What has been your biggest thrill as an athlete at Duke?

JR: I think my biggest thrill at Duke is just running out every game in front of the Cameron Crazies because they are the best fans in the country.

PSR: What has been the biggest disappointment of your career at Duke?

JR: My biggest disappointment is probably a tie. Losing in the final four to Connecticut and losing to Michigan State in the sweet 16 last year.

PSR: What building has been the toughest for you to play in?

JR: I think the toughest place to play is Maryland, but it is also my favorite place to play because I just love the interaction with their fans.

PSR: What is a tougher environment, the RBC Center at NC State or the Smith Center at UNC?

JR: I think that is like comparing apples and oranges. They are two totally different environments. The RBC Center is a little more hostile but the Smith Center can get as loud as any place because they have so many people in there.

PSR: Are you feeling extra pressure since you have the chance to be “the quarterback” of the Duke offense?

JR: I am not feeling any extra pressure. I obviously put a lot of pressure on myself as it is to perform. I think any good athlete does. I am definitely looking forward to leading this team and calling some audibles on offense.

PSR: Explain what it is like to play for Coach K.

JR: Playing for Coach K is a huge honor. I would definitely consider Coach K a friend but when I play for him on the court it is all business. I still sometimes catch myself in awe just listening to him in a team meeting. I have to pinch myself like hey I am sitting here in Cameron being coached by the greatest college coach of all-time.

PSR: Will you be sad to leave Duke and what will you miss most?

JR: I won’t be sad to leave Duke, I will be proud to say that I graduated from Duke. I played four years for the greatest program in the country. The thing I will miss the most is the people. Everybody gets involved in Duke University and in the Duke basketball program.

PSR: To what do you attribute your successful basketball career?

JR: I think hard work and dreaming big. I have always been a dreamer. So far in my life when I have worked hard enough to make my dreams come true they have come true.

PSR: What game can’t you wait to play this season?

JR: I can’t wait for any game. I just want to play every game. I think non-conference there was a lot of hype surrounding the Duke-Texas game and Brad Buckman is a good friend of mine so I enjoyed to playing against him. (No. 1 Duke throttled No. 2 Texas 97-66; Redick scored 41 points).

PSR: What coach has been the biggest help to your development as a player?

JR: Obviously Coach K has had a huge impact on my career and me as a person. I have also worked very closely with Coach [Chris] Collins. He has been like an older brother to me and he is also one of my best friends. He has had a huge impact on me.

PSR: Which coach do you go to if you are having problems with school, girls, and things of that nature?

JR: Coach Collins.

PSR: What is the one TV show you cannot miss?

JR: Lost, Entourage, 24 and the O.C.

PSR: Who were your heroes as a kid?

JR: Brett Favre and Michael Jordan

PSR: If you didn’t play basketball, what would be your sport of choice?

JR: Baseball

PSR: What is your typical breakfast?

JR: Cereal. Usually Golden Grahams. PSR: What is your favorite sport to watch other than basketball?

JR: College Football