Richard Jefferson played 19 seasons in the NBA, winning an NBA championship, appearing in over 1,000 games, and scoring more than 12,000 points. But he got to experience the game of basketball in a completely new way on Monday night.
Jefferson, now a broadcaster for ESPN, got a chance to try his hand at officiating during Monday’s Summer League game between the New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers, serving as one of the game’s officials for the second quarter.
Before the game, Jefferson took to Twitter to share the reason for doing it, outside of the obvious entertainment factor.
“Why do this?” Jefferson asked on Twitter. “1. Tremendous amount of knowledge about our game that I’ve learned sitting in classes. 2. I do this because not many people would dare put themselves in this position. The more info I have the more informed I am as a broadcaster.”
All in all, Jefferson’s brief stint as a referee went well, except for one blown call where he gave the wrong team possession out of bounds – though that call was quickly corrected by another official.
Jefferson enjoyed the experience so much that he plans to do it again during next year’s summer league.
.@Rjeff24 says he wants to ref again in next year’s summer league 😂 pic.twitter.com/MkvZMTxm0j
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 12, 2022
“I will come back to summer league next year and go to class,” Jefferson said. “I would love that.”
The NBA world enjoyed Jefferson’s experience too, reacting with plenty of jokes, but also messages of respect for Jefferson’s willingness to try his hand at officiating.
Looks natural 😂 https://t.co/nTrZeEFSrJ
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) July 12, 2022
When is Van Gundy’s turn? https://t.co/EurwEEChqY
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 12, 2022
a legendary summer league performance by @Rjeff24 pic.twitter.com/FqHHz2kk9U
— SB Nation (@SBNation) July 12, 2022
https://twitter.com/MitchellMylo/status/1546706241602347009?s=20&t=EmSod_qNReN-208Uv4z7pQ
Hoping this begins to change some of the narrative towards officiating. Whether it's a new appreciation, or hopefully some ways from a player perspective it can be done better, or perhaps, both. https://t.co/EXf2GDtRFt
— Sean Greene (@SeanGreeneWDEL) July 11, 2022
https://t.co/w7S4Q8DQW8 pic.twitter.com/pHkRfF4fWs
— Quinton Mayo (@RealQuintonMayo) July 12, 2022
He has been threatening to T someone up for weeks. https://t.co/tI1jIkbIkW
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) July 11, 2022
I love this. Richard Jefferson continues to shine as one of the best players-turned-media personalities out there. Him being a referee is going to be hilarious! https://t.co/ckFKSvodVg
— Julian McKenzie (@jkamckenzie) July 11, 2022
After the successful trial run, Jefferson will now return to his normal role as an NBA broadcaster for ESPN.
