Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is detailed information about basketballer Richard Jefferson.

Player Profile

Personal Information:

  • Full Name: Richard Allen Jefferson
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: June 21, 1980
  • Hometown: Los Angeles, California, USA (raised in Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Height: 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm)
  • Weight: 233 pounds (106 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 0 inches (213 cm)
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)

Basketball Career:

  • Position: Small Forward / Shooting Guard
  • Jersey Number: 24 (primarily), 44, and others during his career
  • High School: Moon Valley High School, Phoenix, Arizona
  • College: University of Arizona (1998–2001)
    • Played three seasons under Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson.
    • Helped lead Arizona to the NCAA Championship Game in 2001, losing to Duke.
  • NBA Draft:
    • Selected 13th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets (rights traded to the New Jersey Nets).
  • Teams Played For:
    1. New Jersey Nets (2001–2008): Key player on teams that reached the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.
    2. Milwaukee Bucks (2008–2009)
    3. San Antonio Spurs (2009–2012)
    4. Golden State Warriors (2012–2013)
    5. Utah Jazz (2013–2014)
    6. Dallas Mavericks (2014–2015)
    7. Cleveland Cavaliers (2015–2017): Played a critical role in the 2016 NBA Championship team.
    8. Denver Nuggets (2017–2018): Final season in the NBA.
  • Championship Rings:
    • 1 (2016): Won with the Cleveland Cavaliers, helping them overcome a 3–1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

Personal Life:

  • Children:
    • Richard Jefferson has one son, Richard Jefferson Jr.
  • Siblings:
    • He has two older brothers.

Notable Achievements and Legacy:

  • Known for his athleticism, versatility, and longevity in the NBA.
  • Averaged 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game over his 17-year career.
  • Currently a popular NBA analyst and commentator for ESPN, recognized for his humor and insight.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Richard Jefferson was a springy two-way wing who blended slashing, transition scoring, and complementary perimeter shooting with the athletic tools to defend multiple spots. Defensively, he spent much of his career as a versatile forward defender, using his size and mobility to check wings, switch across matchups, and add value without needing to be a true lockdown specialist every night. Offensively, his role was built around running the floor, attacking closeouts, finishing above the rim, cutting off the ball, and later spacing the court more reliably as a secondary or tertiary scorer rather than a primary offensive engine. Physically, Jefferson brought strong NBA wing dimensions at 6-foot-7 and 233 pounds, plus the explosiveness that made him a dangerous open-floor finisher in his prime. Taken together, his style was that of an athletic, winning-minded wing who could fit next to stars, pressure defenses with movement and finishing, and give lineups functional defense, energy, and scoring balance. (Basketball Reference)

Basketball-Reference — Richard Jefferson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
NBA.com — Richard Jefferson | Forward | New Jersey Nets
NBA.com — Nets All-Time Top 25: No. 8 Richard Jefferson
NBA.com — 2015 Year in Review: Richard Jefferson