November 1, 2007

As Milwaukee shooting star Michael Redd aims to drive the Bucks into playoff contention, his walk with God has scored both on and off the court

Michael Redd already had the best preparation an NBA player could get for the upcoming season.

Now it seemed appropriate to carry out the proper celebration for the gold medal Team USA won in the FIBA Americas tournament.

Redd, an All-Star guard for the Milwaukee Bucks, was certainly in the perfect place--Las Vegas--to indulge in the party as well.

Casinos were to his left, nightclubs bouncing into the wee hours were on his right, and everything else was in between.

So what was the dead-eye left-hander doing to celebrate the moment?

"I'm up in my room playing some dominoes, beating up on my man Rick Davis," Redd said with a chuckle.

So much for the juicy nightlife. Then again, Redd has always been more about storing his treasures elsewhere.

It hasn't mattered if it was Las Vegas, Milwaukee, or anywhere else. In the midst of developing a sweet left-handed stroke, Redd has been at the forefront of Bible studies, preaching the gospel, sharing his testimony, and leading others to Jesus.

"He's stayed true to his faith," says Redd's father, James, who is the pastor at Philadelphia Deliverance Church of Christ in Colum bus, Ohio. "Regardless of who he's been around, he's always preached the same message. He's always been true in faith and lifestyle. If you're consistent with how you walk, people will respect you."

Redd, whose 26.7 points per game average in 2006-2007 was the sixth best in the NBA, says it was an honor to join Team USA over the summer.

But he wasn't there for hoops alone.

Sure Redd was there because he gave the USA what it lacked in recent years--quality shooting from the outside. But he says it also gave him a greater stage for sharing the gospel not only to the NBA's top players but also to the world at large.

"I think that [was] my purpose, other than just to shoot the basketball," Redd says. "It gives me the chance to let others know about Christ and help them through situations they may be going through. I thank God for the opportunity and the privilege to share the gospel in no matter what setting--whether it be in Vegas, in a casino, in a hotel--just somewhere I can let these brothers know that they need Christ. It's a privilege, man. It really [was] an honor to come out here and do that."

Although Redd flourished with Team USA--averaging 14.4 points per game--to help them win the gold medal, that kind of team success is a new development for him.

While Redd has continually put up big numbers in Milwaukee, the Bucks have missed the playoffs three of the past four years, and they haven't made it out of the first round since Redd's rookie year in 2000.

That's just part of Redd's journey, though. . . .

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