Introduction
Julius Randle is an American professional basketball player who currently plays as a power forward for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born on November 29, 1994, in Dallas, Texas, and attended the University of Kentucky before being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft.
College Career
Randle played one year of college basketball at the University of Kentucky, where he helped lead the Wildcats to the NCAA Championship game in 2014. During his freshman season, Randle averaged 15.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, earning him SEC Freshman of the Year honors and a spot on the All-SEC First Team.
NBA Career
After being selected by the Lakers with the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft, Randle spent four seasons with the team before joining the New Orleans Pelicans in 2018. During his time with the Lakers, Randle saw his playing time and production increase with each passing season.
In his rookie season, Randle averaged 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per game. However, by his third season, Randle was averaging 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds in 28.8 minutes per game.
In his lone season with the Pelicans, Randle continued to produce, averaging 21.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. His strong play earned him a three-year, $63 million contract with the New York Knicks in 2019.
Season-by-Season Stats
2014-15 Season
In his rookie season with the Lakers, Randle played in just one game before suffering a season-ending injury. In that lone game, he recorded two points and one rebound in 14 minutes of action.
2015-16 Season
In his second season, Randle saw an increase in playing time, appearing in 81 games and starting 60 of them. He averaged 11.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
2016-17 Season
Randle continued to improve in his third season, averaging 13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while starting all 74 games he played in.
2017-18 Season
In his final season with the Lakers, Randle played in all 82 games and started 49 of them. He averaged 16.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
2018-19 Season
In his lone season with the Pelicans, Randle appeared in 73 games and started 49 of them. He averaged 21.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
2019-20 Season
In his first season with the Knicks, Randle played in all 64 games and started 63 of them. He averaged 19.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
2020-21 Season
Randle had a breakout season in 2020-21, earning his first NBA All-Star selection and leading the Knicks to their first playoff appearance since 2013. He played in all 71 games and started 70 of them, averaging 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game.
Conclusion
Julius Randle has established himself as one of the NBA’s top power forwards, thanks to his impressive stats and consistent production. Whether he’s playing for the Lakers, Pelicans, or Knicks, Randle is a force to be reckoned with on the court and a player who can impact the game in a variety of ways.
