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Grant Randall. Photo by Tom Netzer.
Playing a role at PSA brought Randall a Div. I letter
Grant Randall received some college offers while averaging 25 points and 10 rebounds as a postgrad at Mont Sports Academy in Florida. Then, as he said, Putnam Science came up.
“I felt like everyone wanted to see me play with D-I college basketball players, which is Putnam Science,” Randall said. “I wasn’t used to playing with great players around me. I was used to scoring a lot and being The Man, doing whatever I wanted. Everyone was The Man before coming to Putnam. But at Putnam you have to play a role…in order to win and be successful, as a team but also individually.
“It wasn’t the best season for me, but it showed me a lot. I’m glad I made the move to Putnam.”
In the end, it all worked out. PSA turned its season around, going 21-4 in the second half of the season aided by the arrival of Randall, a 6-7 wing who averaged 6.6 points and 5.3 rebounds while flashing versatility and a high motor on both ends of the floor. And Randall solidified himself as a Div. I player, signing his National Letter of Intent with Quinnipiac University earlier this month.
“The coaching staff really believed in me the most out of the schools that were recruiting me,” Randall said of his commitment. “It just felt like the best place, it felt like home when I went on my official visit. The coaching staff has a great resume, they just won the MAAC regular season championship. Coach (Tom) Pecora has coached a lot of pros, produced NBA players.
“My goal is to become a pro. And to become a pro, you have to be on the big stage. So I’m trying to go to the dance (the NCAA Tournament). I’m trying to help put and keep Quinnipiac on the map. I feel like we have the pieces to do it.”
Randall expects to compete for minutes as a freshman, but knows there are a handful of players returning who have already had great success.
“They really paved a vision for me,” said Randall, who has returned home and been in the gym four or five hours a day, focusing a lot on his ballhandling. “The freshmen are obviously going to get a shot to play, but we are really going to be getting taught by the older guys. They’re trying to get us ready to keep the ball rolling.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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