Richard Jefferson Biography: Richard Allen Jefferson Jr. born June 21, 1980 is a retired American professional basketball player who primarily played as a small forward. Over his 17-season career in the National Basketball Association (NBA), he played for eight different teams. Jefferson played college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats before being selected as the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in his debut season. Jefferson spent seven seasons with the Nets, where he reached the NBA Finals in each of his first two years. He later played for the Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Denver Nuggets.
Richard Jefferson Biography
Richard Allen Jefferson is a former professional basketball player from the United States who had a 17-season career in the NBA. He played college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats and was selected by the New Jersey Nets (now the Brooklyn Nets) as the 13th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. In his rookie season, he earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Jefferson also won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and was part of the U.S. national team that secured a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Richard Jefferson Biography Details
| Born |
June 21, 1980 (age 44)
Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Listed height |
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight |
233 lb (106 kg) |
| High school |
Moon Valley
(Phoenix, Arizona) |
| College |
Arizona (1998–2001) |
| NBA draft |
2001: 1st round, 13th overall pick |
| Playing career |
2001–2018 |
| Position |
Small forward |
| Number |
24, 44, 22 |
| Category |
Football Biographies |
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About Richard Jefferson
Richard Allen Jefferson Jr. is an American former professional basketball player who played small forward. He played for eight teams in his 17-season career in the National Basketball Association.
- Born: 21 June 1980 (age 44 years), Los Angeles, California, United States
- Teammates: LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Dwyane Wade ·
- Dates joined: 2017 (Denver Nuggets) ·
- Number: 44 (Golden State Warriors / Small forward) ·
- Education: Moon Valley High School, Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball, The University of Arizona
- Height: 2.01 m
- Parents: Meekness LeCato, Richard Jefferson Sr.
Early Life
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Phoenix, Jefferson’s childhood was shaped by the frequent moves his family made as his mother and stepfather were Christian missionaries. He attended Moon Valley High School in West Phoenix, where he played an essential role in the varsity basketball team that won the 4A State Championship in 1998.
College Career
Jefferson played college basketball at the University of Arizona under legendary coach Lute Olson from 1998 to 2001. Over 84 games (77 starts), he averaged 11.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. His college career culminated in the Arizona Wildcats’ appearance in the 2001 national championship game, where they lost to Duke. Jefferson also earned honors as an all-Midwest Regional and all-Final Four selection. He was inducted into the Pac-12 Basketball Hall of Honor in 2012 during the Pac-12 Conference men’s basketball tournament.
Professional Career
Jefferson spent seven seasons with the New Jersey Nets, playing a vital role in their back-to-back Eastern Conference Championship appearances in 2002 and 2003. He also made two NBA Finals appearances in his first two years with the team. Additionally, Jefferson was a member of the U.S. Men’s Olympic basketball team at the 2004 Summer Olympics and competed in the 2003 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Initially, Jefferson came off the bench as a backup small forward for Keith Van Horn, showcasing his defensive skills and versatility. Due to a dispute between Van Horn and power forward Kenyon Martin, the Nets traded Van Horn to the Philadelphia 76ers, promoting Jefferson to the starting role. He flourished as a starter, becoming a reliable mid- and long-range shooter while maintaining his slashing ability. On August 13, 2004, he signed a six-year, $78 million contract extension with the Nets.
Richard Jefferson Facts & Wiki
Where does Richard Jefferson live? And how much money does Richard Jefferson earn?
| Birth Date |
21-6-1980 |
| Heritage/origin |
American |
| Ethnicity |
Afro-American |
| Religion – believes in God? |
Christian |
| Residence |
He lives in an unknown fashion in Los Angeles, California, United States. |
Richard Jefferson Net Worth, Salary
Richard Jefferson has made a name for himself as one of the successful professional basketball players. He has earned about $50 million net worth. He has played for numerous teams such as New Jersey Nets, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, and etc. After retirement, Richard became a sports analyst on ESPN.
| Estimated Net Worth |
50 million Dollar |
| Yearly Salary |
N/A |
| Product Endorsements |
Nike, 2K Sports & Footlocker |
| Colleagues |
LeBron James, Tim Duncan & Dwyane Wade |
| Management |
Todd Eley |
Richard Jefferson: Single, Dating, Family & Friends
Richard is believed to be single. However, he was engaged to model and dancer Kesha Nichols twice but their engagement has been cancelled for unknown reasons. He has a son but the mother’s identity is not disclosed to the public yet.
| Relationship status |
Single |
| Sexuality |
Straight |
| Partner |
Currently in no confirmed relationship |
| Ex-girlfriends or ex-wives |
Kesha Nichols, Teresa Lourenco & Jennie Finch |
| Has any kids? |
Yes, father of: a son |
Family
Names of father, mother, kids, brothers & sisters:
- Richard Jefferson, Sr. (Father)
- Meekness LeCato (Mother)
Friends
Height, Weight, Body Measurements, Tattoos, Skin, Hair & Eye Color
This headstrong tv-personality & basketball player originating from Los Angeles, California, United States has a athletic body & long face type.
| Hair color |
Bald |
| Hairstyle |
simple |
| Beard or Mustache |
Beardless |
| Eye Color |
Dark Brown |
| Height |
201 cm |
| Weight |
106 kilo |
| Feet size |
N/A |
| Does Richard Jefferson smoke? |
Yes, on occasion |
| Does Richard Jefferson have a tattoo? |
Yes |
