Bruton: Randall II "Wanted to Be Here"

Adelaide coach CJ Bruton has opened up on Craig Randall II’s surprise departure from the Adelaide 36ers, stating that the former import “wanted to be here” prior to the mutual decision to release him from his contract.

The 36ers released a statement this morning containing news that Randall and the club have cut ties, effective immediately, despite the former number 12’s exceptional numbers in his six NBL games across the season so far.

Randall had often come under fire this season for what was perceived as a divide amongst him and his fellow Adelaide players – claims he vehemently denied on social media.

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“We’re here as an organisation to represent our fans, our city,” Bruton said.

“We need to make sure we have a team that’s committed to everything that’s on board from top to bottom.

“He’s always wanted to be here and be a part of it, and he said that … I also knew the ultimate goal when I signed him was to try and give him every chance to be what he wants to be and to get to the NBA.

“He had other opportunities to go elsewhere but as it stands he chose to come here and start our season off.

“You saw what he was able to do for us in this franchise already, he is one of the leading scorers and a talented player and I think it’s just best if we part ways at this point in time of the season so that he can go and fulfil his goals and dreams and we can continue on our pathway.”

Randall was the talk of the basketball world for a short time during the NBL pre-season. His 35 points in Adelaide’s historic win over the Phoenix Suns had fans from teams all around the world clamouring for their side to sign the maverick guard.

While he returned to Australia with the 36ers, Bruton says there was a high level of interest in Randall’s services after the performance.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Phoenix Suns falls to the Adelaide 36ers at home, 134-124 ?<br><br>Craig Randall II and Robert Franks combined for 67 PTS and 15 3PM<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/NBATV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBATV</a>)<a href="https://t.co/nvJwnKUC0c">pic.twitter.com/nvJwnKUC0c</a></p>&mdash; Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1576794518573273089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I’ve had plenty of phone calls from the time we came here and played pre-season games to going to the States and playing the way we did,” he said.

“My phone was ringing off the hook for him. Overseas they were calling and asking what his release was like and what we could do. Between me and him he wanted to continue to be here. I was fielding all these calls, some I didn’t tell his agent, some were just a matter of I’m respecting him and telling him because they keep coming to me.

“My job is to coach this team, so by passing the message on I thought I was doing the right thing, but ultimately we’re at this stage right now and he’ll get to go onto better pastures and we’ll continue our journey.”

Despite Randall’s strong individual performances to start the season, the 36ers have struggled.

After the signings of the likes of Randall and fellow imports Antonius Cleveland and Robert Franks, Adelaide leapt to the top of many fans’ lists as the pre-season championship fancies – high-pressure predictions that only gained more momentum after the club’s successful pre-season.

Since then though, the Sixers have slumped to a 3-4 record, sitting eighth on the NBL standings leading into the FIBA break. 

The team’s performances haven’t played a role in Randall’s departure though, with Bruton simply replying “I believe so” when asked if their position on the ladder prompted the roster change.

Bruton also remained coy on talk of Adelaide bringing in a replacement for the outgoing Randall – choosing to focus on his team’s upcoming game against Melbourne United.

“Right now I need to focus on the group that we’ve got, and get them to play the way the 36ers are supposed to play and the way I envisioned them to, because clearly we’ve only seen glimpses of that at this point,” he said.

“With the guys that are here it’s getting back to the drawing board, working out butts off and making sure that when we show up in Melbourne to play that game that we’re ready to go.”