The Adelaide 36ers have parted ways with star American import Craig Randall II midway through the NBL season because of his poor attitude.
According to News Corp, Randall caused friction at the 36ers during the season, while ESPN reports the 26-year-old was often seen arguing with coach CJ Bruton and teammates during games, creating team chemistry issues.
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The 36ers released a statement on Tuesday morning confirming the club had agreed to part ways with Randall by mutual consent.
“The decision has been made in the best interests of Craig and the club moving forward and for Craig to pursue other opportunities at the highest level,” the statement said.
“The 36ers organisation would like to thank Craig for his time at the club and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
Nick Marshall will be elevated to the 11-man roster as the 36ers consider a possible replacement.
Randall was seen arguing with Bruton about the team’s first-half performance against the New Zealand Breakers in round 5.
He also raised eyebrows when he stood by himself before a game against South East Melbourne Phoenix while his teammates linked arms to sing the national anthem.
The 36ers have been repeatedly frustrated with Randall’s attitude at training and cut the cord on Tuesday.
“It’s disappointing,” former American basketball player and media personality Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams said on NBL Overtime.
“I reached to you and spoke to you. I had your back. To see your body language continue, to see you arguing with the head coach that believed in you, several coaches, teammates. Nobody wants to play with you. It can’t be them.
“At some point, if 10 people are saying, ‘It’s you, it’s you’, it’s you. You’re a hooper, you’re not a pro. There’s a difference. Unprofessionalism is what you lack. That’s what’s going to hurt you more than help you.”
It’s a bold move by the 36ers given Randall was the team’s topscorer in the six games he played, averaging 20.3 points per game, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
Randall joined Adelaide after a stint in the G-League with the Long Island Nets.
The guard put the basketball world on notice with a blistering shooting display in Adelaide’s shock pre-season win over the Phoenix Suns in October.
Randall drained nine three-pointers as he topscored with 35 points.
There had been talk Randall, Robert Franks and Antonius Cleveland could lay claim to being the best trio in the NBL, but their stardom hasn’t translated to wins for Adelaide.
The 36ers were one of the early favourites to challenge the Sydney Kings for the NBL title but have stuttered to a 3-4 record to start the season and are eighth on the ladder.
Randall’s future is unclear, although he could be picked up by another NBL team, return to the G-League or even join an NBA team on a short-term contract.
