By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Listed among the Basketball Champions League contenders, AEK Betsson supporting the case includes Chasson Randle averaging 15 points per game over three appearances.
Randle, 30, is a newcomer to the league, similar to numerous teammates. However, there is plenty of further experience across the board. And a 3-0 start to cover the top half of the double-legged round-robin schedule of Regular Season’s Group D signals intentions to a long run in the league.
“We have a very good team,” Randle rejected being the leader of AEK and instead confirmed the depth of the team coached by Joan Plaza, after the road win versus King Wilki Morskie Szczecin on Wednesday, “We have a lot of guys with a lot of experience. This team is not going to depend on just me to step up every night. It is everybody’s role and everybody’s job to lead.”
In all fairness, Randle had joint game-highs of 18 points and 23 efficiency rating in the most recent Champions League showing, leading his side to the win in Poland. Delivering points and assists down the stretch, his contribution was equally or perhaps even more crucial in the previous wins against MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari.
“We knew it was going to be tough to come here and win, with the way that they play. They are aggressive in the defensive end and very efficient on the offensive end,” said the former Stanford standout on the third win of the continental campaign, “Credit to our guys for coming here tonight focused, following the coach’s gameplan, and being tough on both ends of the floor to get the win.”
📊 18 PTS | 4 REB | 4 AST | 23 EFF@ChassonRandle came up big in Poland, fueling @AEKBCgr‘s W on the road! #BasketballCL pic.twitter.com/RMDQDKOKiP
— Basketball Champions League (@BasketballCL) November 8, 2023
He played in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and was part of the championship run of Real Madrid in 2017-18. In his rookie season in 2015-16 with CEZ Nymburk he featured in the FIBA Europe Cup. Back in Europe as a member of the Queen, the Champions League was placed on the resume.
Making his way to 119 NBA games, spread between the Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Golden State Warriors adds to his experience.
“Wins and championships”
AEK is among the lasting originals of the BCL, participating in all editions since the launch of the continental competition in the 2016-17 season. In 2017-18, the Greek club went all the way and was crowned champion. Returning to the top has been a constant goal since.
“We do not play this game for popcorn and candy. We play for wins and championships,” stressed Randle in a recent interview with Greek public television, confirming ambitions for this season.
“We know that we are not going to quit. There are going to be games where things do not go your way. That is the beautiful thing about basketball. You play to the buzzer sounds and the game is over, the clock says zero,” he opened up on the determination across the squad, “We are going to continue to do that, fight all season long. Win or loss. But definitely want to go as far as we can in the BCL and hopefully bring the trophy home.”
The list of teammates includes team captain Dimitris Flionis alongside Langston Hall, Mfiondu Kabengele, Zois Karampelas, Giannis Kouzeloglou, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Ben McLemore, Jordan McRae, Omiros Netzipoglou, and Justin Tillman, among additional options.
“We knew, coming into this season, it was not going to be easy. A new roster with guys that have never played in Europe before, with guys that have never played in Greece before. We just knew that we had to continue to work every single day and try to get better,” noted Randle, “That is the mindset. We are going to fight until the end every single game we play.”
The team guided by Spanish play-caller Plaza currently sits at 2-3 in Greece’s Basket League. Hoping to balance the tally, the next game is against Kolossos H Hotels in Ano Liosia Olympic Hall on Monday. The BCL campaign resumes with the return matchup opposite King Szczecin in Athens on November 22.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League