photo credit AEK Athens

Chasson Randle (188-G-1993, college: Stanford) is a 30 year old 188cm guard from Illinois playing his 9th professional season and first with AEK Athens. He played at Stanford University (NCAA) from 2011-2015 averaging 18,0 and 19,0ppg in his last 2 seasons. He turned professional in 2015 and played for CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL). He played parts of 4 seasons in the NBA for teams Philadelphia, New York, Washington, Golden State and Orlando amassing 119 games. He also played in the G-League and in China, New Zealand and Spain where he suited up for Euroleague team Real Madrid. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball Champions League game against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.

Thanks Chasson for talking to germanhoops.com. You’re a rare guy that went to the NBA after a season in Europe. Will their be a third time or do you see yourself finishing your career overseas?

I don´t have a crystal ball, so I can´t tell you that there will be a third time. But I´m enjoying my time in Greece now. I still have a love and passion for the game so wherever my career goes, I will be willing to do it. I´m thankful for my season with AEK and excited to keep playing.

After playing in the Czech Republic and Spain, you now are in Greece with AEK Athens. What kind of an experience has it been playing for this great organization?

It has been a great experience. It is great living in Athens. The city has a lot to offer and playing for this organization has been a joy. It has been a season of trials and tribulations where we have had up and down games, but the team has done a great job of sticking together and finding ways to win games. The organization has supported us from the start until now and we will continue to work and get better each day.

There is an NBA reunion with guys like Kuzminskas (former teammate Knicks), Mcelmore and McRae (Wizards). Plus the club has many more great players. The club is playing superb in the BCL, but haven´t found their stride yet in the Greece first division. What is this team capable of achieving this season?

The sky is the limit. Unfortunately we don´t have Bem Mcelmore anymore, but we have a lot of talent and just have to put it together and play consistently at both ends of the floor. If we can do that then I think the ceiling is high and we can continue to impress and win games.

You played at Stanford from 2011-2015 winning 2 NIT titles. Which title was sweeter?

There is a saying that you treat your first like your last and your last like your first. That is what happened in both titles. I can´t say which is sweeter, but the last was in Madison Square Garden and I ended up playing for the New Knicks. That was a pretty cool experience to have.

How did head coach Johnny Dawkins groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He did a great job of talking to me what it meant to be a pro. He helped me prepare my mind and body for what was to come. He shared his experiences with us and what it was like when he was playing. Experience is the greatest teacher, but when you have someone that can share their stories, it´s second to none. I´m thankful for having coach Dawkins for 4 years.

You played your rookie season overseas with CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL) averaging 15.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT-1 (54.5%), FT: 71.4%. What was your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

As soon as I got off the plane. I had to get my own bags and I realized I´m in it and I´m here. Once the snow hit for the first time, I realized I´m not in California anymore and reminded me off my home in Illinois. I had a great experience there and had great teammates there that helped me adapt. Without them, I wouldn´t have made it. I´m really thankful for Mike Dickson and Howard Sant-Roos who helped me a lot as a rookie.

In your rookie season you played VTB and lost in the playoffs to CSKA Moscow and had your first introduction to top player De Colo, Hines, Teodosic and Higgins. What memories do you have of this series and these great players?

I just remember the intensity that these guys played was great. All were great players. They had great careers in Europe. Every possession mattered to them. They had the bigger budget, but never took us lightly, but serious. We were fortunate to get a win, but it was tough. We had great battles but they took the series.

You reached the NBA in your second season playing 26 games for Philadelpha and New York. What do you remember being your wake up call to the NBA?

My wake up call happened in training camp. I was on the court with other guards like Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings and there I was guarding D Rose. I´m from Illinois about 2 hours where Rose is from. He was one of the guys I looked up to growing up. Being on the same court and guarding him was incredible.

You made your first field goal against Washington. What memories do you have of that first check in?

I believe my first field goal was against Milwaukee. I think I scored my first field goal in pre season against Washington. I had an open look and I think Melo kicked it out to me. He was unselfish to give the rookie a chance and I knocked down the shot. He believed in me and I remember articles in the paper where he spoke highly of me. We remain friends to this day.

You finished the season with New York and was teammates with Carmelo Anthony. How do you remember him as a teammate? Was he as great as a person as player?

Yes he was. Carmelo was incredible to be around. He brought a certain intensity to practice everyday. He never took plays off or reps. He was there early and late. I remember him working in the low post on his fade away and just doing it over and over and over. He never slowed down. That stuck in my mind. He is a great person as well. Whenever we had team events, he made sure that everyone was included including the rookies. I was fortunate to sit across from him and other veterans on the plane and they shared stories with me about the game and their families and how they handled certain situations. He will be a first ballot hall of famer when his time comes.

In your third pro season you played with top organization Real Madrid and was teammates with Luka Doncic. It was his last season before the NBA. You saw close up what he did in Europe, but had you thought he would become a NBA superstar the way he has?

Yes I get this question a lot. I just remember in the first practice that his size and the pace that he played with really stood out. He had a great ability to make great reads on the offensive end. My first game was against Efes. He had had something like 25-30 points 5-7 rebounds and assists. He also hit the game winner without sweating. And he did this in 20 minutes. I knew right away that he was incredible and he was definitely a pro and should be the #1 NBA draft pick. I didn´t think he would become a NBA superstar as quickly as he has, but I always knew give him 4 years, but he was a superstar from the start. He is an incredible player and generational talent.

You played your fourth pro season with the Washington Wizards (NBA) averaging 5.5ppg, 1.1rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 44.1%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 69.4%. You played a full season and had many great games. What did you learn to appreciate most about the NBA grind that season?

I learned in that season not to take anything for granted. I learned to always be present and always be in the gym, because you never know when your number will be called. I remember it being successful, but also that it was a grind. There was 1 week where I played in the NBA, the G-League, NBA and G-League. It was 4 games in like 4 days. That was the first time I did that since high school. It was real eye opening and you realize what your capable of once your tested.

In 2019-2020 you played with the Tianjin Pioneers (China-CBA) averaging 24.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.0apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 44.8%, 3FGP: 36.6%, FT: 86.6%,. What memories will you always have from China? The CBA is a league where guys can definatly get confidence in their game.

Yes that’s true. Important that season was that I could work on my game every day and get as many reps as possible. My teammates were awesome and I enjoyed playing there, but then came Covid. I was forced to leave the country before it was shut down. The CBA has a lot of talent with international and domestic players. Asia has a lot of talent with guys with size and quickness. I think you will continue to see the league grow.

In 20-21 you played with the at Orlando Magic (NBA) averaging 6.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 44.9%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 79.2%. What was your craziest story concerning Covid? Every guy witnessed something that was unforgettable?

I remember having to be tested every day through the nose. Nothing super crazy happened.

Last season you played with the Grand Rapids Gold (NBA G League) averaging 14.6ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 72.5%, in Feb.’23 signed at Oklahoma City Blue (NBA G League) averaging 12.1ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 49.1%, FT: 77.8%. Did you lose faith in the NBA process last season? Did you ever feel like you were close to an NBA call up?

Yes I felt I was close a couple times. There weren´t many injuries or opportunities for a NBA call up. I enjoyed my time in Grand Rapids and Oklahoma city.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your career in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

A man child in the NCAA I faced was Solomon Hill form Arizona. We had no answer for him then. Arizona was the only time I never beat in the Pac 12 and I still regret it.

Who are your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I can´t put a number on it since I played with so many great players.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe, Jordan, Isaiah Thomas (Detroit Pistons), Kareem

Who is your Goat and why?

My GOAT is Michael Jordan because he set the blue print for my favorite player Kobe and so many after. The way he won 6 titles was incredible. He had great style and charisma. My dad showed me tapes of Jordan and got me interested in the game.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

That’s a great question. They tried with the sequel. People love to recreate nostalgic movies. But they should of left it alone.

Thanks Chasson for the chat.