Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick marked his 42nd birthday on Wednesday by stopping by the U.S. Men’s National Team’s training session at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The visit came one day before the Americans face Turkiye in their final World Cup group-stage match.
During the workout, Redick met U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino, and the two exchanged jerseys in a moment shared on social media by the team’s official account. In a later interview, Pochettino said he congratulated Redick on his birthday and noted that the day is also Lionel Messi’s birthday.
The appearance capped a busy day for Redick, who also celebrated the two-year anniversary of his hiring by the Lakers and the club’s decision to re-sign guard Austin Reaves to a new contract.
The U.S. squad has already clinched first place in its group after winning its opening two matches, rendering Thursday night’s meeting with Turkiye inconsequential to the standings. The priority for Pochettino’s side will be to avoid injuries ahead of the knockout rounds.
Redick Reflects on Coaching Growth
With two NBA seasons now behind him, Redick recently discussed his development on the sidelines. Speaking at his end-of-season press conference, he cited sharper in-game decision-making and improved emotional control as key areas of progress, adding that he is eager to continue that growth during the offseason.
Source: LakersNation.com
