Michael Redd

Lore & Background

Redd's rise from a second-round pick (43rd overall) to an All-Star is a defining story of his early Milwaukee years. As a rookie, he was stuck behind Ray Allen on the depth chart, but former head coach George Karl rewarded him with more playing time after he played extremely well against Allen, Glenn Robinson, and other teammates in practice. On February 20, 2002, against the Houston Rockets, Redd made eight three-point field goals in the fourth quarter, a then-NBA record. After the 2003–04 season, he earned full starter duties following Ray Allen's trade to Seattle and averaged 21.7 points per game en route to his first and only All-Star Game appearance. In the 2006–07 season, Redd arguably had the best season of his career, averaging a career-high 26.7 points per game. That season, on November 11, 2006, he scored a career-high 57 points in a 113–111 loss to the Utah Jazz, breaking the single-game Bucks record for points scored set by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971. Later that season, on March 4, 2007, Redd scored 52 points in an overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Reader's Guide

Michael Redd's professional career began when he was drafted 43rd overall in the 2000 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. In his rookie year, he was behind NBA All-Star guard Ray Allen on the depth chart. He posted averages of 11.4 points per contest as well as 44.4% on three-point shooting during his second NBA season. In October 2002, he signed a four-year, $12 million offer sheet with the Dallas Mavericks, but it was matched by the Bucks and he remained in Milwaukee. After the 2004–05 season, Redd signed a new contract with the Bucks that lasted six years and was worth $91 million. He chose to stay with the Bucks over leaving for his home state team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and a chance to play for less money with LeBron James. Redd scored a playoff career-high of 40 points against the Detroit Pistons on April 29, 2006. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2004. In retirement, Redd has become an accomplished entrepreneur and venture capitalist, and he has a popular podcast called Betting On Yourself. In 2021, Redd was one of only three former Bucks players (Brandon Jennings and Marques Johnson) to appear in Milwaukee's championship parade.

Did You Know?

• He scored a career-high 57 points against the Utah Jazz on November 11, 2006, breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's single-game Bucks record.
• After signing his $91 million contract, Redd bought a church building for his father's ministry in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
• Redd set the FIBA Americas qualifying tournament record for most three-pointers made in one game and in the whole tournament (28) during the 2007 competition.