Lakers head coach J.J. Redick laces up custom made Nike sneakers for Autism Acceptance Month

Los Angeles Lakers head coach J.J. Redick laced up some custom-made sneakers for a good cause on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. 

Redick wore custom made Nike sneakers designed by Salt Lake City artist John Millar for the NBA and the NBA Coaches Association in honoring Autism Acceptance Month.

The shoes were designed with the Lakers team colors of purple and gold wrapped around a rainbow infinity symbol, a mark of pride and permanence for the autism community. 

“It’s a great cause,” said Redick. “It’s bringing awareness and acceptance.”

But then Redick reflected for a moment and told the story of the teenage version of himself spending his free periods in high school helping a classmate with special needs. 

“My junior and senior year I had a free period and I spent those two years working with a special needs kids,” recalled Redick. “There was one kid in particular that I worked with. I helped him with math. It was a really humbling experience.” 

Redick also mentioned his friendship with Joe Ingles, an NBA player and father navigating life with an autistic son. Suddenly the cause stopped being abstract and it became personal.

“Anybody who knows me knows that I think all people are equal and loved,” Redick said. 

The initiative also circles back to To The Max Foundation, founded by Utah Jazz assistant Scott Morrison and his wife after their son Max’s autism diagnosis in 2022. 

Across the league, all 30 head coaches joined in the campaign to raise awareness for autism.