Zach Randolph (born July 16, 1981 in Marion, Indiana) is an American professional basketball player currently with the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA.
Randolph grew up in Marion, Indiana and attended Marion High School. As a sophomore he helped lead the Marion Giants to the class 4A championship game. As a senior, he again led his team to the state championship game in which Marion High School won its seventh state basketball championship. He finished second in Indiana's 'Mr. Basketball' voting that year, closely behind Jared Jeffries, who coincidentally played for the team that the Giants beat in the state championship game that year.
As a senior, Randolph agreed to attend and play basketball for the Michigan State University Spartans. After his freshman season, he decided that he was ready to go professional and entered the NBA Draft.
He was drafted by the Blazers in the first round (19th overall) in 2001. He plays the power forward position and has talent, size, mobility, and good rebounding skills. In 2004 he won the NBA's Most Improved Player award, after which he signed a 6-year, 84-million dollar deal with the Blazers. However, this was only after he threatened to play out his rookie contract, sign a one year tender and then become an unrestricted free agent unless the Blazers offered him a maximum contract. Of the $84 million, it is rumored that $30 million is to be paid as part of deferred payments after the six years of the contract have passed.
While Randolph has proven himself as a talented scorer and rebounder, he has been somewhat controversial. He is generally regarded as a weak defender and a notoriously poor passer. In addition, he sucker-punched teammate Ruben Patterson in the face during a practice scuffle in 2003, an act which earned him a two-game suspension. He also has been cited for underage drinking and driving under the influence of marijuana, and was present when his brother Roger Randolph was involved in a shooting at a Kokomo, Indiana nightclub. After an initial interrogation by police, he was threatened with arrest based on his statement; Randolph gave a second statement and was not charged in the incident. His brother was ultimately convicted in the matter and sentenced to prison.
In 2004-05, his production dropped somewhat, and although he was injured for much of the season, many critics pointed a finger at Randolph for the Trail Blazers' troubles that year. Several teammates complained that Randolph was a ball hog, and Randolph had several arguments with Maurice Cheeks over his on-the-court actions. Late during the season, Randolph announced that he would miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury; he later had microfracture surgery on the injured knee. He played the next season, posting averages of 18 points and 8 rebounds per game, but his work ethic was frequently called into question by coach Nate McMillan, who had been hired in the 2005 offseason.
On June 8th, 2006, Randolph ran into further legal trouble when two vehicles, both registered in his name, were pulled over by the Portland Police for racing in a 20 mph speed zone. Randolph's car contained two loaded weapons under the seat of the vehicle; Randolph had legal permits for both guns. The officers claimed they detected marijuana odor coming from Randolph's car. In August 2006, a sexual assault complaint was filed with Portland police over an incident with a stripper in a Portland hotel room; after a month-long investigation, the Multnomah County district attorney declined to prosecute Randolph, citing insufficient evidence. Additionally, Randolph is facing a civil suit related to that case, and another alleging that Randolph and friends tried to intimidate witnesses in former teammate Qyntel Woods's dog fighting case.
Randolph lives in Portland, Oregon during the basketball season and spends time in Atlanta, Georgia and Fishers, Indiana during the off-season.
Source : Wikipedia
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Zach Randolph Calls Darrell ArthurZach Randolph Calls Darrell Arthur phone rings Darrell Arthur : solemnly Hello. Zach Randolph : Yo, this Darrell Arthur? DA : Yes. ZR : The Darrell Arthur from Kansas? DA : Yes. ZR : The Darrell Arthur who now plays for the Memphis ... Continue reading
Knicks confirm they are shopping Zach RandolphWalsh, the Knicks president, confirmed Saturday that the Knicks are in talks with the Memphis Grizzlies about a possible deal for Zach Randolph, the veteran power forward who doesn't fit into Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo offense. ... Continue reading
Numerous Reports About Zach Randolph to Memphis Still Bubbling UpI think we all (save Knicks fans) prayed the latest round of Zach Randolph rumors -- to Memphis, they said -- would die a quick, painless death. To the contrary. It's been either a rumor on life support or one which is taking the long, ... Continue reading
Zach Randolph Calls Darrell ArthurZach Randolph: Yo, this Darrell Arthur? DA: Yes. ZR: The Darrell Arthur from Kansas? DA: Yes. ZR: The Darrell Arthur who now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies? DA: Yes. ZR: In Memphis? DA: Yes. ZR: For the Grizzlies? DA: Yes. ... Continue reading
GRIZZLIES WANT ZACH RANDOLPH … OUCH!I certainly hope the Grizzlies are getting more than they are giving on this one. Seems Randolph became an efficient NBA player but he also brings some baggage. Click here for more .. Continue reading
Is Zach Randolph Bound For Memphis?COM, Andrew Marchand writes, "The Knicks have a trade proposal on the table with the Memphis Grizzlies that would see Darko Milicic and Marko Jaric dealt to New York in exchange for Zach Randolph. An executive with knowledge of the ... Continue reading
Should the Knicks trade Zach Randolph?Answers:. Yes, he's overpaid; No, a double-double player. Continue reading
Zach Randolph to the Grizzlies?The Memphis Edge is reporting that a deal involving Zach Randolph is now in the New York Knicks' court. In exchange for Zach Randolph, the Memphis Grizzlies would be sending a package that includes Darko Milicic and Marko Jaric. ... Continue reading
Zach Randolph to Memphis?Zach Randolph to Memphis is on the table. Memphis will send darko Milicic and Marko Jaric to Knicks if trade will be realized. The biggest problem is Zach’s big contract. Continue reading
Grizzlies and Knicks discussing Zach Randolph tradeThe two teams are discussing a trade that would send power forward Zach Randolph to Memphis for guard Marko Jaric and forward/center Darko Milicic. Other players may be involved. Multiple newspaper reports on this exact trade talk ... Continue reading
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