Luka Dončić Praises Anthony Randolph’s Impact After Retirement: “Without Him, We Couldn’t Have Done It”
Anthony Randolph, a key teammate of Luka Dončić early in his career, announced his retirement from basketball at 35. Randolph shared the court with Dončić at Real Madrid and later joined him on the Slovenian national team. Randolph helped secure the EuroBasket title in 2017 and the EuroLeague championship in 2018 before Dončić transitioned to the NBA.
“After 15 years, I am officially retiring from basketball,” Randolph said. “It has been a journey full of unforgettable moments, great competitions, and historic events. I am grateful to all the coaches, teammates, and staff for their support. Thank you also to the fans.”
Dončić, now the star of the Dallas Mavericks, paid tribute to Randolph on Instagram, writing, “Great career Tonček!” The two first teamed up at Real Madrid, where Randolph joined in 2016, and later reunited on the Slovenian national team in 2017. Their partnership helped Slovenia capture its first-ever EuroBasket title, with Randolph averaging 11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds during the tournament.
After racking up 45 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists in a 143-133 victory over the Golden State Warriors, Dončić reflected on his time playing with Randolph, praising his impact as essential to winning a Gold medal with Slovenia.
“Amazing guy. Just at the time he joined the team in Madrid, he was already an incredible player,” Dončić told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I think he’s actually from Dallas. Playing with him was so easy. Then, he joined the national team and helped us win that gold medal. Without him, we couldn’t have done it. Just an amazing player and a great person. I’m happy I could share some of my seasons with him.”
Randolph’s decision to represent Slovenia came after initial hesitation. Born in Würzburg, Germany, to U.S. military parents and raised in California, Randolph admitted he initially struggled with the idea of playing for another country. However, meetings with Slovenian Basketball Association leaders, including Rasho Nesterović and Goran Dragić, persuaded him to join the team.
“They told me their plan and said if I came, we would have a chance to win a medal,” Randolph told The Undefeated in 2017. “I did it to get exposure by playing alongside Luka and Goran in a major tournament.”
The move also earned him a European Union passport, helping Real Madrid open another roster spot to pursue a foreigner. Randolph spent seven seasons with Real Madrid, where he became integral to the club’s success, including the EuroLeague title in 2018.
In a 2020 interview with El Mundo, Randolph reflected on his time with the Spanish powerhouse. “The best thing that could have happened to me was coming to Europe and to Madrid. It’s the best club I’ve ever worked for, one of the best in the world, even above some in the NBA. Here, I compete for titles every year,” he said.
Before his European success, Randolph played six seasons in the NBA after being selected 14th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2008 NBA Draft. He also had stints with the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets. A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas and a standout at LSU, Randolph’s versatility defined his career.
As Randolph steps away from the game, he hopes to be remembered as a player who gives everything on the court. “I want to be remembered as someone who gave everything to win, one of those Americans who came and won many titles,” Randolph told El Mundo in 2020.
Randolph looks forward to the next chapter of his life after his professional basketball career concludes.
“Basketball has given me more than I ever dreamed possible,” Randolph said in his retirement announcement. “This chapter is closing, but I look forward to a new life, opportunities, and continued growth.”
