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Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> head coach J.J. Redick laced up some custom-made sneakers for a good cause on Monday night at Crypto.com<\/a> Arena.<\/p>\n Redick wore custom made Nike sneakers designed by Salt Lake City artist John Millar<\/a> for the NBA and the NBA Coaches Association in honoring Autism Acceptance Month.<\/p>\n The shoes were designed with the Lakers team colors of purple and gold wrapped around a rainbow infinity symbol, a mark of pride and permanence for the autism community.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a great cause,\u201d said Redick. \u201cIt\u2019s bringing awareness and acceptance.\u201d<\/p>\n But then Redick reflected for a moment and told the story of the teenage version of himself spending his free periods in high school helping a classmate with special needs.<\/p>\n \u201cMy junior and senior year I had a free period and I spent those two years working with a special needs kids,\u201d recalled Redick. \u201cThere was one kid in particular that I worked with. I helped him with math. It was a really humbling experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Redick also mentioned his friendship with Joe Ingles, an NBA player and father navigating life with an autistic son. Suddenly the cause stopped being abstract and it became personal.<\/p>\n \u201cAnybody who knows me knows that I think all people are equal and loved,\u201d Redick said.<\/p>\n The initiative also circles back to To The Max Foundation<\/a>, founded by Utah Jazz assistant Scott Morrison and his wife after their son Max\u2019s autism diagnosis in 2022.<\/p>\n Across the league, all 30 head coaches joined in the campaign to raise awareness for autism.<\/p>\n The game-worn sneakers laced up by all the NBA coaches will be signed and head to auction at Sotheby\u2019s in May, with every dollar fueling access, opportunity, and dignity for families who often fight autism quietly and without help.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>
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