Stanford Man Chasson Randle Signs With New York Knicks For NBA Summer League

Randle will try his hand at making the Knicks' roster in Orlando

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

After winning a title in the Czech Republic, Stanford's all-time leading scorer Chasson Randle is set to play on a very different type of stage. The former honorable mention All-American will try and make the New York Knicks' regular season roster with a strong showing in Orlando, home of the NBA's summer league.

Randle had a strong career on The Farm, making All Pac-12 first teams in his final two seasons. Under the guidance of former coach Johnny Dawkins, Randle led the Cardinal to two NIT championships, and was named the postseason NIT MVP in 2015. A threat from beyond the arc, Randle set the school record for three-point field goals made during his senior season.

After going undrafted last summer, the 6'2" guard tried his hand at making the Warriors' roster, but ultimately ended up settling overseas, helping his Czech team win its 13th consecutive title. Randle starred for CEZ Nymburk, finishing second on the team in scoring in the Euro Cup and first in three-point field goal percentage among regulars.

"As soon as I got back from the season in the Czech Republic, I went right out to Houston for a workout," Randle told QCOnline. "After that, I went out to a mini-camp with the Knicks and then to Brooklyn to work out for the Nets. The Knicks called my agent and said they were impressed and wanted me to play in the summer league."

Randle became the second Stanford player to sign a contract with New York since 2010, joining small forward Landry Fields, now a free agent.

Another New York-Stanford connection: the triangle offense. Randle played in a similar offensive system with Dawkins at Stanford, something that will give Randle some comfort.

"The terminology may be different, but the the style and plan is the same," Randle said to QCOnline. "That's the cool part and I felt right at home during mini-camp. I know the defensive will be something I have to adjust to and I'll adjust to that."

If Randle makes the roster, he could join a new-look Knicks team. After New York acquired Derrick Rose, Knicks' small forward Carmelo Anthony is reportedly lobbying for the team to sign Kevin Durant.

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Playing well, Part 1

By Jeff Wendland, wendland@qconline.com

ORLANDO — A pesky hip flexor injury during practice sidelined Rock Island graduate Chasson Randle from the New York Knicks’ first two games of the NBA Orlando Summer League. He made up for lost time in his debut on Tuesday.

"I was playing really well in practice and couldn’t wait for the games to start last week," Randle said. "I hurt the hip on defense and, on Thursday, I couldn’t lift my right leg to my chest. It was really poor timing and very frustrating, but I had to keep my faith in God that it would get well.

"I knew it wouldn’t have been smart to play in those first two games (both lopsided Knicks losses) because I wouldn’t have been able to move on defense. That’s what the coaches are looking for, how you get after it on the defensive end."

Coming off the bench with the Knicks trailing the Los Angeles Clippers in the second quarter of Tuesday’s game, Randle helped New York’s struggling offense that put up just 49 points in each of the team’s first two games without Randle. With Randle in the game, the Knicks forged a 44-all halftime tie with 13 points in the quarter. His second half was even better.

"It really helped that I came off the bench most of the season in Europe this past season," Randle said. "I learned what I have to do to come into the game and make an immediate impact. I didn’t try to do too much, just be aggressive and show what I can do on the court."

The Clippers bolted out to a double-digit lead in the third quarter with Randle again on the bench. He entered midway through the period and New York became a different team. The 2011 Rocky grad scored 11 more points over the next quarter and a half and helped the Knicks tie the game at 84 at the end of regulation.

His fifth assist set up a go-ahead 3-pointer to start overtime and the Knicks finished with an 8-0 run in OT to win 92-84.

"If you don’t care about winning, then you shouldn’t be out there," Randle said. "Sure, I am out there to show the Knicks what I can do, but I also want to do what it takes to win and help my teammates."

Randle wound up with 24 points, five rebounds, five assists and six steals in a team-high 33:32 of playing time. He made six of his nine 3-pointers (the rest of the team was 2 for 11) and the team was a +24 in scoring while Randle was on the court.

"I’m not exactly sure how it works here," Randle said of the postgame talk. "I got a lot of congratulations and I’m excited. No one breaks things down to us after games.

"The entire Knicks staff is here. They are really hands on, including (Knicks team president Phil Jackson). If Coach Jackson sees something in practice or during a game, he’ll yell it out to you and get you in the right spots."

One good game may or may not have opened the eyes of Jackson and the Knicks staff, but Randle will get another chance very quickly when they play the Orlando Magic White team today at noon.

"My confidence is high, but my hip is sore," Randle said. "I need to get some rest and come back (today) and prove myself again."

By Cardinal&Orange on 07.06.16 7:02pm

Playing well, Part 2

By Daniel Makarewicz, danmak@qconline.com

Inserted into the starting lineup for the first time in his two-year NBA Summer League career on Wednesday afternoon, New York Knicks guard Chasson Randle initially did not view it as "a super big deal."

After digesting the spot fully, he soon realized it was "a privilege" being a starter.

"When you get that opportunity," the 2011 Rock Island graduate said, "you have to give it your best."

Randle’s game reflected his perspective.

Despite being slowed by a lingering hip flexor injury, he started, played 29 minutes and scored 17 points in the Knicks’ 95-90 loss to Orlando Magic White in Orlando, Fla. It marked the second time in his two summer league contests Randle reached the double-figure mark.

"You know, I’m picky," Randle said. "There are some things I’ll be beating myself over, (but) I thought it was a good performance. I showed a lot of effort in different areas, especially with the back-to-back (games).

"I’m looking to improve. That’s all I can do."

The first half was an offensive showcase as Randle hit all five shots he took from the field and tallied 13 points. Included were a trio of 3-pointers and a baseline tear drop that opened his scoring.

By the time he reached intermission, Randle already had 37 points in six quarters of action.

"I kind of wanted to show a little more of my ability to get to the basket," Randle said. "I can only do so much with the leg. I’m trying."

The lingering hip injury, which kept him out of the Knicks’ first two games, is hindering his explosiveness and mobility.

"It’s limiting my abilities to make plays out there," Randle said. "On the defensive end, I’m not able to dictate as much as I want. With that being said, it’s not an excuse. I have to give it my best shot."

Still getting minutes in the second half, the shots were not falling. Randle converted one of his eight attempts and added a pair of foul shots. Through two games, he is shooting 48.3 percent (14-of-29) from the field and converted 9 of his 15 attempts from the 3-point line.

In addition to his shooting totals, Randle averages 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals. His play, especially on the offensive end, drew praise from television analyst and NBA veteran Vince Carter on Wednesday.

Carter said Randle should get a shot in the NBA. For now, Randle has one more summer league game against a yet-to-be-determined opponent on Friday.

New York’s front-office members have not given him any indication about his future with the organization.

"Right now, I don’t know what’s going on. I’ll let my agent handle that. Hopefully, I can get something that is appealing that works out for the both of us," Randle said. "I feel like I belong in this league no matter how things go from here. All I can do is continue to try to prove that."

Through two games, the numbers show Randle has done so.

By Cardinal&Orange on 07.06.16 7:02pm

hope he makes camp

By funkin on 07.11.16 5:31am

Randle is well on his way towards finding his spot in the NBA

After being named to the All-Orlando Summer League Team, Randle has made quite an impression with the Knicks, and I hope they give him the opportunity to suit up this season.

By Brandyn Smith on 07.11.16 10:31am

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