It’s official: RJ to join YES broadcast team, starting Wednesday

Richard Jefferson, who played a pivotal role in the New Jersey Nets’ back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003, has joined the YES Network as Brooklyn Nets game and studio analyst, the network announced Tuesday.

Jefferson’s first assignment will be the Nets’ Opening Night Wednesday, when he joins studio host Chris Shearn on YES’ pre- and postgame shows . YES’ pregame show begins at 6:30 p.m. ET, with the network’s game telecast following at 7 p.m. ET.

Jefferson’s first assignment as YES game analyst is Wednesday, October. 24, when he and play-by-play man Ian Eagle call the Nets-at-Cleveland game (7 p.m. ET). This year, R.J. is expected to be in the booth for 20 or so games plus a handful in the studio.

The 17-year NBA veteran will do other NBA games for ESPN, according to reports.

In addition to reaching the NBA Finals twice with the Nets, Jefferson won an NBA Championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, was named to Second-Team All-Rookie in 2002 with the Nets, won a bronze medal with the U.S. Men’s Basketball Team at the 2004 Olympics, and scored 14,904 career points in his NBA career.

Raised in Arizona, Jefferson played three seasons at the University of Arizona under Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson. He helped the Wildcats reach the 2001 NCAA National Championship game, and along the way was named to the All-Midwest Regional and All-Final Four teams. In 2012, he was inducted into the Pac-12 Basketball Hall of Honor.

He played his first seven NBA seasons (2001-02 to 2007-08) with the Nets before being traded to Milwaukee in June 2008. After playing one season with the Bucks, Jefferson subsequently played for the Spurs, Warriors, Jazz, Mavericks, Cavaliers and Nuggets. He ranks fourth in Nets team history in points scored.

• Richard Jefferson joins Nets’ broadcast team as analyst - Neil Best - Newsday
• Former Net Richard Jefferson joins YES Network as a Brooklyn Nets analyst - YES Network