Anthony Randolph's five seasons in the NBA are more than other prospects can muster. Drafted with the 14th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, the left-hander's career wouldn't see as much shine as he once had with the team that originally selected him, drawing stints with the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets for two seasons before finding a career overseas.

Now 28 years old and developed as a seasoned professional, Randolph admits his entry to the NBA world was perhaps earlier than anticipated.

“Maybe I was a little too young,” Randolph admitted to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. “Maybe I should’ve stayed in school a little longer and allowed myself to mature a little bit more and prepare for the NBA lifestyle and the things that were thrown at me. But I have no regrets. It was what it was, and it was something that needed to happen for me to grow up.”

Randolph was only 19 years old when he was first drafted out of Louisiana State University as a lanky, athletic rebounder with great shot-blocking promise and deft touch around the rim. The Warriors ultimately traded him for David Lee, along with Kelenna Azubuike, Ronny Turiaf, and a future second-rounder in a sign-and-trade deal.

From that point on, Randolph was unable to garner stable playing time and his career declined because of it, failing to show the complete package that teams sought from him back then.

“I love playing against the best players in the world. I loved competing against the Gasol brothers and Porzingis this past week,” said Randolph, reflecting back on last week's EuroBasket tournament that earned him a gold medal. “That’s the reason I play basketball, to be tested against high-level talent. That is not to say there is not high-level talent over here, because there is. That is one of the main goals I have, but I’m not going to do it just to say I’m back in the NBA.”

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While he came really close to signing with the Dallas Mavericks last season, the 6-foot-10 forward/center will be at peace even if he doesn't touch the NBA hardwood again, having carved himself a spot playing for Real Madrid in Spain's ACB.

“Of course I am at peace. You can’t live in the past. The things that I have done 10, five or six years ago are in the past. There is nothing I can do to change it. I’m very happy with the place where I am. I feel I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the mistakes that I had in my past that allowed me to grow up and go through the hard times.”