Blue Blood Royalty: Netflix Releases Powerful Documentary Honoring Duke Legend and NBA Veteran JJ Redick
Netflix has officially released its highly anticipated sports documentary chronicling the life, legacy, and lasting impact of legendary Duke basketball icon and NBA veteran, JJ Redick.
The documentary, titled “The Brotherhood: The JJ Redick Story,” offers fans an intimate, unfiltered look at one of college basketball’s most polarizing stars who transformed himself into one of the most respected voices in the game.
Redick’s story is one of brilliance, reinvention, and resilience — a saga that stretches from his record-breaking days in Durham to his unlikely longevity in the NBA, and finally, to his evolution into a prominent media personality and basketball philosopher.
Duke’s Most Polarizing Star
From the moment he stepped onto the floor at Cameron Indoor Stadium, JJ Redick was a lightning rod. As the sweet-shooting, fiercely confident freshman out of Roanoke, Virginia, Redick became the face of early-2000s Duke basketball — loved by Blue Devil faithful and loathed by opposing fanbases nationwide.
“The most hated player in college basketball” — that’s the title he wore, and wore proudly.
The Brotherhood chronicles Redick’s historic college career, where he set the all-time ACC scoring record (since surpassed), won National Player of the Year honors, and rewrote Duke’s three-point shooting record book. The documentary dives into the emotional weight Redick carried as a young man performing under intense scrutiny, dealing with depression, and navigating fame and expectation with raw honesty.
“JJ wasn’t just a shooter,” says Coach Mike Krzyzewski in the film. “He was a competitor. A leader. And he was misunderstood.”
Through exclusive interviews with Coach K, Shelden Williams, Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, and Redick himself, the film revisits the highs and lows of his college career — from thunderous ovations to deafening boos — with rare behind-the-scenes footage and deeply personal reflections.
From Sharpshooter to Survivor in the NBA
Redick’s NBA journey wasn’t a guaranteed success. Drafted 11th overall by the Orlando Magic in 2006, his early years were marked by inconsistency and doubt. He was undersized, under-athletic, and many believed he wouldn’t last. But Redick did what he’s always done — he worked.
The documentary follows his transformation from a fringe rotation player to one of the NBA’s most dependable sharpshooters — earning respect across the league during stints with the Magic, Clippers, 76ers, and Pelicans.
Through candid interviews and locker room footage, viewers see Redick not just as a shooter, but as a mentor, a competitor, and a culture-builder.
“He was one of the smartest guys I ever played with,” says Chris Paul. “He brought fire to practice. He brought edge. And he always showed up.”
A Voice for a New Era
Perhaps one of the most fascinating arcs in The Brotherhood is Redick’s post-playing career rise as a media icon. As the founder of The Old Man and the Three podcast and a rising star at ESPN and now Netflix Sports, Redick has become a leading voice in basketball culture, bringing fresh insight and unfiltered authenticity to analysis.
In the documentary, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and even Charles Barkley speak on how Redick helped redefine athlete-led media, giving players and fans a more thoughtful, inside-out perspective on the sport.
“JJ is proof that you don’t have to yell to be heard,” says Durant. “You just need to know the game and speak your truth.”
Mental Health, Growth, and the Power of Reinvention
A central theme of the documentary is Redick’s battle with mental health — something he speaks about with remarkable vulnerability. He opens up about anxiety, insecurity, and the pressure to be perfect — especially during his college years.
“I was addicted to achievement,” Redick says in one emotional segment. “But it never made me happy. I had to learn that who I am isn’t just about how many shots I make.”
The film captures his growth as a man, a father, and a voice of reason in the sometimes chaotic world of sports.
Critics Praise an Emotional, Unflinching Portrait
Critics are calling The Brotherhood one of the most poignant basketball documentaries of the decade — not just because of the stats or accolades, but because of the raw honesty with which Redick’s story is told.
★★★★★ “Redick’s journey is an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt like they had to prove themselves again and again.” — The Ringer
★★★★½ “It’s not just about Duke. It’s about growth, grit, and grace.” — The New York Times
★★★★★ “One of the best basketball documentaries since The Last Dance — because it’s about being human first, and a player second.” — ESPN Films
Final Buzzer: A Duke Legend Redefined
Whether you loved him or hated him on the court, The Brotherhood: The JJ Redick Story will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the man behind the jumper.
From Cameron Indoor to the NBA hardwood, and now into America’s living rooms as a truth-teller and thought leader, Redick’s legacy continues to evolve.
And thanks to Netflix’s moving, masterfully told documentary, his story will now inspire a whole new generation of hoopers, thinkers, and dreamers.
