Don Redden
Encyclopedia
Don Redden was an American basketball player. Redden, a 6-foot-5 guard/forward for Louisiana State University (LSU) who averaged 13 points and five rebounds as a senior in 1985-86, was captain of the LSU team that reached the 1986 Final Four
. During the 1986 NCAA tournament, Redden averaged more than 20 points per game, earning MVP honors for the Southeast Regional.
In 2009, he was voted to LSU's All-Century team. He finished his college career at LSU's 14th all-time leading scorer and still ranks among the top 10 on the school's all-time free-throw percentage leaders.
After college, Redden was selected by the Denver Nuggets
in the third round (64th pick) of the 1986 NBA Draft
. He was waived by the Nuggets on October 12, 1986. He played for the West Palm Beach, Florida
Stingrays of the United States Basketball League
(USBL) during the summer of 1986. In 1987, he signed a two-year contingency contract with the San Antonio Spurs
, though never played in a regular season NBA game. He later played professionally in Europe.
In 1988, at the age of 24, Redden died of ideopathic cardiomyopathy (heart failure) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
. He is buried in Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
, near former LSU star Pete Maravich
, a member of the NBA Hall of Fame.
A native of Monroe, Louisiana
, Redden was a two-time All-State player at Ouachita Parish High School (Monroe, Louisiana). His high school jersey number (44) has been retired.
1986 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1986 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 13, 1986, and ended with the championship game on March 31 in Dallas, Texas...
. During the 1986 NCAA tournament, Redden averaged more than 20 points per game, earning MVP honors for the Southeast Regional.
In 2009, he was voted to LSU's All-Century team. He finished his college career at LSU's 14th all-time leading scorer and still ranks among the top 10 on the school's all-time free-throw percentage leaders.
After college, Redden was selected by the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
in the third round (64th pick) of the 1986 NBA Draft
1986 NBA Draft
-Drug and health issues involving drafted players:There were various drug-related problems that plagued players in the 1986 NBA draft. Most notable was the death of highly-touted Len Bias. Bias died less than two days after being selected second overall by the defending champion Boston Celtics. His...
. He was waived by the Nuggets on October 12, 1986. He played for the West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and is the most populous city in and county seat of Palm Beach County, the third most populous county in Florida with a 2010 population of 1,320,134. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida...
Stingrays of the United States Basketball League
United States Basketball League
The United States Basketball League , often abbreviated to the USBL, was a professional men's spring basketball league. The league was formed in 1985. The final champions are the Kansas Cagerz, who won the title game on July 1, 2007.-History:...
(USBL) during the summer of 1986. In 1987, he signed a two-year contingency contract with the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
, though never played in a regular season NBA game. He later played professionally in Europe.
In 1988, at the age of 24, Redden died of ideopathic cardiomyopathy (heart failure) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. He is buried in Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
, near former LSU star Pete Maravich
Pete Maravich
Peter "Pistol Pete" Press Maravich was an American professional basketball player. Born and raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Maravich starred in college at Louisiana State University and played for three NBA teams until injuries induced him to retire in 1980...
, a member of the NBA Hall of Fame.
A native of Monroe, Louisiana
Monroe, Louisiana
Monroe is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208, but 51,636...
, Redden was a two-time All-State player at Ouachita Parish High School (Monroe, Louisiana). His high school jersey number (44) has been retired.