Obasohan, Randolph Sign to Play Professionally in Italy with S.S. Felice Scandone
8/4/2016 2:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Former teammates will reunite and play alongside one another in Italy’s Serie A (First Division)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Former Alabama men's basketball standouts Retin Obasohan and Levi Randolph will be teammates once again. The duo has signed professional contracts within the past week to play with S.S. Felice Scandone in Italy's Serie A (first division).
"I am so excited to sign my first professional contract that I am at a loss for words," Obasohan said. "I talked to coach (Avery) Johnson throughout the process and he really helped guide me along the way. It's funny because coach and I were talking and reminiscing that this time last year, there was no way I would have dreamed about playing in Italy on a first division team in one of the top European leagues. It's a testament to how good God is and how hard work pays off because this past year has given me so many opportunities."
"It means a lot to sign this contract and have the opportunity to play in Italy," Randolph said. "Both mine and Retin's goal is to make it to the NBA and both of us were close to achieving that this summer. We are looking at this opportunity to gain more experience by playing against professionals who have been playing at a high level for a long time. We both have been working hard all summer, and we will continue to push each other to get better."
Obasohan and Randolph, who will depart the United States for Italy in mid-August, both arrived at the Capstone in the fall of 2011 (Obasohan redshirted his rookie season) and both have left a lasting impact on the Crimson Tide men's basketball program. The duo each earned SEC Men's Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year honors (Randolph in 2015 and Obasohan in 2016), as well as All-SEC first team and all-district first team accolades in their respective final seasons in Tuscaloosa.
Obasohan led the Tide and ranked fifth in the SEC with an average of 17.6 points per game as a senior. He collected 27 double-figure scoring contests a year ago, which included 14 games of scoring 20 or more points. During SEC play, Obasohan averaged 20.6 points per game to become the first player in 30 years to average more than 20 points per game in league play (Buck Johnson averaged 20.4 ppg in SEC play during the 1985-86 season). Furthermore, the Antwerp, Belgium, native scored 580 points during the 2015-16 campaign which is the 12th-most points scored in a single-season in school history.
Obasohan finished his Alabama career with 1,176 points which ranks 40th in school history, while his 154 career steals ranks eighth in the UA record books.
Randolph, who was a key cog for the Maine Red Claws in the National Basketball Developmental League last season, was named an Academic All-American in 2015 – Alabama's first such honoree in program history. As a senior in 2014-15, the Madison, Ala., native led the Tide in scoring (15.4 ppg), assists (2.5 apg), steals (1.5 spg) and minutes (35.3 mpg), while also ranking second in rebounds per game (5.1 rpg).
Randolph finished his Alabama career with 1,336 points (21st in program history), 118 starts (fifth in program history) and 150 steals (eighth in program history). Additionally, he played in a program record 135 games and also owns the record for consecutive games played, playing every contest during his four-year career.
Despite all the accolades, the two are most excited about reuniting as teammates next season and helping each other to their ultimate goal of playing one day in the NBA.
"To be given this opportunity is one thing, but to do so with one of my brothers on my side is a blessing in itself," Obasohan said. "Levi and I played together for four years and came (to Alabama) in the same recruiting class. We have built a chemistry and we push each other to settle for nothing but greatness. It will make the transition a lot easier and I am super grateful he will be by my side."
"It means a lot to have the chance to play with Retin again," Randolph said. "It will make things much more comfortable for both of us. To have someone who I am family with be there by my side through thick and thin is a big help. We both push each other because we know that ultimately it will help us reach our goals as a team and individually. He can yell at me and I can yell at him, because we both know it will make us better."
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