Anthony Randolph's decision to join Slovenia on the quest for EuroBasket gold was perhaps one of the most puzzling sights at this year's competition. The five-year NBA pro has been playing in the EuroLeague for the past three seasons and started to carve a niche overseas after his stint at the States didn't work out as expected.
A key piece coming off the bench for the eventual first-time European champions, Randolph explained his reasoning for choosing to play at the international level this summer.
“Luka Doncic is Slovenian. So is Goran. My agent, Rade [Filipovich], he represents all three of us,” Randolph told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. “I did it to help get more exposure by playing alongside Luca and Goran in a major tournament against the best players in Europe and some of the best stars in the NBA.”
“My initial thought was no. When you think about playing for a country, you want to play for the country you’re from. It’s a country that you have a stake in. You want it to be something special. I met with [Slovenia Basketball Association secretary general and former NBA player] Rasho Nesterovic, Goran Dragic, Rade, [my Spanish agent Enrique Villalobos] here in Madrid in May. They told me their plan of being the missing gap to their team and if I came we would have a chance to win the medal. I talked it over with my team, and we decided it was the best thing to do in order to get exposure and develop as a basketball player.”
Randolph was not paid to play for the country, but did it instead to gain that international recognition, which could pay in bundles down the road if he chooses to play elsewhere or needs to re-negotiate a contract with his current club, Real Madrid.
Another perk of international competition is him having a European Union passport, which gives Real Madrid the option to bring another American player to European competitions outside of Spain, which can prove a major difference.
“It also makes it a lot easier for me to get a job overseas as I get older,” said Randolph. “I can play as long as I possibly can on high-level teams.”
Even with the benefits that came from wearing the Slovenian uniform, the 28-year-old had the experience of a lifetime through nine games of competition — attaining a gold medal for a country that was ultimately thankful for his decision to play for it.
“It was great,” he said of his experience with the team. “Everyone welcomed me on the team. There was no problem at all. Everyone pretty much spoke English. There was no language barrier. [Slovenia coach and Utah Jazz assistant coach] Igor [Kokoskov] was amazing. He was one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. I learned a lot playing for him that I will be able to take the rest of my career. The team chemistry was amazing, and just the way we went through the whole tournament beating teams. The way we won the gold is amazing. It was one of the high points of my career.”
One particular fan was especially appreciative of Randolph and the role he had helping this team to his first-ever gold medal at an international event, words of warmth he's bound to never forget.
“One fan was so appreciative to me. He kept saying, ‘Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate you doing this. We couldn’t have won this without you. The country appreciates you. You’re a legend here. We will never forget you.’ It was pretty amazing to feel the love of an entire country. From playing basketball, that was pretty crazy.”
Randolph averaged 11.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game during EuroBasket, shooting a blistering 42 percent from deep.
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