By Dave Krider
MaxPreps.com
It’s not surprising that Brad Redford set five Michigan state records and finished as the No. 2 free throw shooter in USA history, because he is flat-out the purest of shooters from anywhere on a basketball court.
The 6-0 senior guard from Frankenmuth, who recently was named Michigan’s Mr. Basketball, made 474-of-508 free throws during his four-year career for a sizzling .933 percentage – second only to the national record of .936 (519-554) by Seth Colclasure of Bellmont in Decatur, Ind. His .967 senior-year percentage (208-215) ranks No. 3 all-time. Colclasure, again, is No. 1 at .977 (167-171).
In addition, Redford drilled a sensational 102 consecutive free throws during his final campaign, ranking No. 2 in history to the 126 by Daryl Moreau of De La Salle in New Orleans, La. Moreau’s streak was built during two seasons in 1978 and 1979.
Redford’s five state records are:
- 27 points in the first quarter.
- 143 three-point baskets in a season.
- 102 made free throws in a row.
- .967 free throw percentage in a season.
- .933 free throw percentage in a career.
“I can’t remember being without a basketball,” Redford told MaxPreps. “In kindergarten I played organized basketball with third and fourth graders. I was the only younger kid. I could always shoot and had nice form. It was kind of heavy, but I always found a way to get it in the basket. I did not have a teacher. I just had a natural touch.”
Add repetition to a natural touch and you’ve got Brad Redford – one of the greatest shooters in prep history. “I’ve taken so many shots – it would be an unbelievable amount of shots,” he says. “I couldn’t even put an estimate on that. Starting in ninth grade, I spent about 40 hours a week on shooting.”
Redford has concentrated on free throws since fourth grade and won a contest as a sixth grader by drilling 46-of-50. He calls free throws “an important part of the game, especially at crunch time. I love that part of the game. You’re up by a couple points and all you have to do is finish off the game “
Redford’s pursuit of Moreau’s record thrust him into the national spotlight. Asked about pressure, he replied, “I tried not to think about it too much. It was not too bad, but the worst was when I tied the state record (70) and had to wait four days (for the next game). Everyone was talking to me about it. I knew it was short right away when I let it go. It was almost a relief when it ended, but I definitely was proud of making 102 in a row.”
Frankenmuth coach Tim Crawford calls Redford “the best free throw shooter in the world and his offensive skills are as good as anybody.”
Crawford needed just one look at Redford during an open-gym session to pencil him in at the starting varsity point guard position as a freshman. He recalled, “He was very comfortable. He handled himself well. He didn’t do anything fancy, but he made very good decisions. He could have averaged 20 points a game (he averaged 9.2), but we had two 1,000-point scorers that year.”
It didn’t take long for Redford’s older teammates to embrace him. Crawford mentioned a drill that quickly tested his players’ resolve. He explained, “I’d run the kids to death and say we needed to make a one-on-one free throw or they’d run again. Every kid would say, ‘We want Brad.’ ’’
Redford was quick to emphasize, “I always wanted to do it (shoot the pressure free throws). All the guys definitely took me in. I didn’t really feel like an underclassman. I vividly remember missing one time (as a freshman). Most of the time fatigue didn’t really bother me. I’m really well conditioned.”
He also ran track as a freshman and was a standout in the 800- and 1600-meter events. He gave up track as a sophomore, because it conflicted with AAU basketball.
As a sophomore, Redford raised his scoring average to 16.8 points. His highlight game was a 27-point effort during an 88-81 loss to Ypsilanti, which was ranked No.1 in Class A at the time.
Redford also tested his coach’s patience one day when he and his older brother, Dan, were horsing around in practice. With the entire team facing extra time in a tiresome drill if he missed, Brad fired a one-handed shot from three quarters of the court and it hit nothing but net. The teenager with the golden touch apparently laughs at pressure.
During his junior year Redford boosted his scoring average to an outstanding 25.1 points. He exploded for a school-record 48 points against North Branch and also scored 37 against Flint Southwestern.
Redford’s senior year was not projected as very promising. Little experience returned and he was the tallest player at 6-feet. Playing a demanding Class B (second-largest class) schedule, the Eagles were nowhere on the state radar. Being their most visible player, Redford was going to face every trick defense known to man.
It’s a good thing he has a lightning-quick release, because he often faced two and three defenders. “I definitely have a quick trigger,” he agrees. “Just a little bit of space and it doesn’t take much. As I keep shooting, it just seems to get quicker and quicker.”
In the very first game he exploded for 47 points as the Eagles stunned Flint Southwestern, 92-77. He drilled a near-perfect 11-of-14 from three-point range to set the stage for one of the greatest years in Michigan history. At mid-season he poured in 27 points in the first quarter en route to a 44-point effort as Hemlock fell, 77-56. Then, in a four-game stretch he fired in 52, 50, 38 and a school-record 53 points. At that time the Eagles had posted a shocking 18-0 record and were the No. 1-ranked Class B team in the state.
Saginaw News sports writer Hugh Bernreuter noted, “He had that ‘wow’ thing that even fans on the other side would go ‘wow!’ He shoots three-pointers like free throws. It looks so easy, even with guys all over him. Coaches and fans came from around the state to see him. He filled gyms. His YouTube video has had over 53,000 hits. He was his own little rock star.”
Redford recalled, “We sold out six of our last eight home games (capacity 2,500). It was a lot of fun. It was kind of crazy after games. I signed a lot of autographs and a lot of pictures. I signed at least 50 one day. It’s fun that people look up to me. I try to treat everyone with respect on and off the court.”
The Frankenmuth star looks up to Michigan State star Drew Neitzel, a good friend who came to watch him during the regional semifinals. After the game they both signed autographs. “I’d sign one side of a shoe and he’d sign the other side,” Redford related.
Well, Redford’s dream season finally ended with a tough 65-60 loss to Menominee in the Class B state quarterfinals. Despite very low expectations, the Eagles set a school record with 23 victories against just three defeats.
“We got out-rebounded so badly – 2 to 1 a lot of times,” Redford noted. “We won rebounds one time. We just found a way to win. We exceeded everybody’s expectations.”
The Frankenmuth ironman, who rarely sat on the bench, scored 953 points as a senior – second in state history to the 969 by Mark Brown of Hastings in 1984-85. His prolific 36.7 average ranks No. 7 in state history. He made 314 career three-pointers, which is tied for second in state history. He had 12 three-pointers in a game, which is tied for third. He scored 2,146 points (22.1 average) to finish 14th in career scoring.
He not only led the Eagles in scoring, but also in assists (94) and steals (79) while placing second in rebounds (111).
“Brad just put together the most incredible season one could ever imagine,” coach Crawford praised. “It’s scary to think what he’d done if he had a 6-6 guy or even 6-2 in the post. He’s always shooting, even after practice. The repetitions are what make this kid such a great shooter.”
Redford says his greatest thrill was being named Mr. Basketball – another surprise to those who had him ranked no higher than No. 3 in preseason. “I just improved every year,” he pointed out. “I played the best basketball of my life (this year). It is a great honor, something you dream about – (to join) all the great names.”
The Frankenmuth rifleman carries a 3.1 GPA and has signed with Xavier University. His goals are to “make an impact early as a freshman and take it as far as I can. I want to get a little stronger and that will help me defensively.”
“The million-dollar question,” coach Crawford says, “is can he guard the ultra-quick guard? He’s not the quickest, strongest or biggest guy in the world. Offensively he won’t have any problems. They are moving the three-point line back one foot next year (to 20 feet, 9 inches). A lot of three-point shooters are going into the toilet, but that will help him.”
Frankenmuth fans won’t soon forget the great ball handling and fantastic long-range shooting that Brad Redford brought to the table over the past four years.
However, they do have hope for the future, because Brad’s brother, Kent, will be a freshman next year. “He’s a heck of a shooter,” big brother says proudly.
