Durham, N.C. — Duke sophomore guard Darren Harris, a lifelong Blue Devil fan, has made clear his all-time favorite player from the legendary program: J.J. Redick.
Harris, who joined Duke last summer as a four-star recruit ranked No. 39 overall in the 2024 class, revealed his admiration during a social media Q&A on Monday night. Despite having grown up long after Redick’s storied run ended, Harris, an efficient 6-foot-5 sharp-shooter, admitted: “KD and Russ. Redick is my favorite Blue Devil.” He also named Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as his favorite NBA players.
During the 2024‑25 season, Harris saw limited action—averaging just 6.1 minutes across 21 games for a Duke squad that reached the Final Four and finished with a 35‑4 record. He scored 43 points in total and made only five three-pointers. Yet as he begins preparations for a far more prominent role next season, his confidence in Redick’s legacy is both sincere and symbolic of his own aspirations to excel.
J.J. Redick is widely regarded as one of Duke’s most iconic players. He remains the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,769 points and holds the record for made three-pointers with 457. His No. 4 jersey is retired at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Following his stellar college career, Redick spent 15 seasons in the NBA and is now in his second season as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
For Harris, Redick represents everything he values in a player: smooth shooting, relentless preparation, and deep ties to Duke basketball’s culture. Harris’ connection to the Blue Devils began in childhood, and now that he’s wearing the blue and white himself, expressing loyalty to the program’s past greats is natural.
With Harris moving into a more substantial role next year—especially amid speculation about rising playing time and offensive responsibility—he looks to follow in the footsteps of a player who built a legacy through disciplined shooting and consistency. If Harris can develop into a reliable scorer and team leader, his affinity for Redick may be more than symbolic—it could become aspirational.
As Duke fans look ahead to next season, Harris’s choice of Redick reflects not only reverence for tradition, but also an eye on what success might look like for the young guard: methodical, competitive, and defined by a blueblood mentality.
