Former NBA star Michael Redd expressed his appreciation and humility after learning that Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao mimicked his signature shooting style in a recent training session.
Redd took to Instagram to share his thoughts after a viral video showed Pacquiao enthusiastically shouting “Michael Redd” while copying his lefty jump shot during a basketball break in training for his upcoming bout against Mario Barrios.
“When legends recognize,” Redd wrote. “Always humbling to get love from Manny Pacquiao, one of the greatest fighters and competitors of all time.”
He added, “Different sport, same respect for the grind and dedication it takes to compete at the highest level. The mutual respect between athletes across different disciplines is something special. We all understand what it means to chase greatness. Much respect, champ 🥊🏀.”
📹 Watch the viral video here.
Now 45, Redd enjoyed a solid 12-year NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, averaging 19.0 points per game and shooting 38 percent from three. However, his prime was cut short by multiple serious knee injuries, including two separate tears of both his ACL and MCL.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, briefly ventured into pro basketball as a player-coach for the Terrafirma Dyip in the PBA from 2014 to 2017. Though he averaged just 1.3 points in limited minutes, the eight-division boxing world champion’s love for basketball remains evident, even in the midst of boxing training.
