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Randall Explains Decision to Join Duquesne

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Courtesy of Craig Randall

This morning sophomore guard Craig Randall announced his intentions to transfer from Memphis and to join the Duquesne Dukes basketball team.

Randall will be forced to sit out the upcoming season but will have two years of eligibility remaining.

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This evening I spoke to Randall about joining Duquesne and what were the biggest factors.

“I’m from Ohio and played high school basketball in the Akron area and Coach Dambrot recruited me coming out of high school. After I got my release from Memphis I called Akron and Coach told me to hold on, he’d call me in a couple of weeks because he wasn’t sure what was going on. Then when he took the job, he immediately called me and told me he still wanted me,” said Randall.

“My relationship with Coach Dambrot has always been really good. Our relationship is probably better than any relationship I’ve ever had with a coach. I’ve known him for a while. So my decision was pretty much based off my relationship with coach because I know he cares about me on and off the court.”

Coach Dambrot Introductory Press Conference. — Rich Donahue/PSN

Since he was hired by Duquesne, Dambrot being a coach that players love playing for is something we’ve heard multiple times. I asked Randall what makes Dambrot such a players coach.

Duquesne's 2024 March Madness Tournament coverage is sponsored by Leon's Billiards & More, Moon Golf Club and Archie's on Carson! Their contributions have allowed us to cover the Dukes run in Omaha, Nebraska. We appreciate their support!

“He’s just a real genuine guy and he’s straightforward. When you have a guy that cares for you as an all around person and know that he’s going to do whatever he can to make you better and has a great staff behind him, that’s someone you want to play for,” said Randall.

As was mentioned earlier, the talented guard will have to sit out 2017 but knows he’ll have a role on this year’s team.

Courtesy of Craig Randall

“I’m going to be a leader on and off the court. Coach has expressed that to me that they’re going to need that to turn the program around and change the culture. We’re going to try to get Duquesne up there with Pitt and bring winning back.”

Randall tells me one of his strengths is shooting the ball and believes he and Mike Lewis will be a lethal scoring backcourt combination.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
 
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