Richard Jefferson
Former NBA small forward and champion, now an ESPN analyst.
Richard Allen Jefferson Jr. (born June 21, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player who played small forward. He played for eight teams during his 17-season career in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Quick Facts
- Role
- Small Forward; Power Forward
- Affiliation
- New Jersey Nets (2001–2008)
- Tenure
- 2001-2008
- Status
- Retired from NBA Play
- Key trait
- Versatile Two-Way Player
Lore & Background
Jefferson played college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats, and was selected with the 13th overall pick in the first round by the New Jersey Nets in the 2001 NBA draft. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team following his first season. Jefferson played seven seasons for the Nets, reaching the NBA Finals in each of his first two seasons. He later played for the Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Denver Nuggets. He won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016 and a bronze medal as a member of the United States national team in the 2004 Summer Olympics. Jefferson retired from the NBA in 2018, becoming a basketball analyst for ESPN in 2019.
Reader's Guide
Richard Jefferson played seven seasons with the New Jersey Nets and was a key element of their back-to-back Eastern Conference Championship teams of 2002 and 2003. He played in the NBA Finals with the Nets in each of his first two seasons. On December 4, 2007, he passed Kerry Kittles to become the Nets' second all-time leading scorer.
Did You Know?
- Jefferson competed in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2003.
- He pledged $3.5 million toward the University of Arizona's basketball and volleyball practice facility, which was named in his honor.
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