Jerome Randle arrives in Utah for first training session with Adelaide 36ers as the man he’s replacing Deshon Taylor says he understands the club’s decision

Jerome Randle and Deshon Taylor hugged and high fived in the hotel lobby in Salt Lake City and defused a potentially awkward situation before training together for the first time. Reece Homfray reports from Utah.

Jerome Randle appeared in the hotel lobby in Salt Lake City just before 6.30pm on Tuesday as the Adelaide 36ers were preparing to board a bus for training.

As he walked into the arms of his teammates - some old and some new - it was like he never left with hugs and high fives.

Then as Randle sat on the arm of a couch, the man he is replacing on the Sixers’ team Deshon Taylor, emerged from the hallway.

He walked up behind Randle, put his arms around his shoulders and Randle reciprocated by standing up and hugging him back.

The two know each other from the US where they share a trainer, and suddenly the most awkward of situations was defused by their smiles.

And when Taylor boarded the bus he greeted everyone who was already seated with a fist pump so if they didn’t know what to say, he said it for them.

Two hours earlier Randle had flown in from Chicago where he was visiting family when he got the Adelaide 36ers’ call to return to the team he left for the Sydney Kings two years ago.

But not only that, he would also arrive in Salt Lake City and train alongside Taylor as they prepare to play the Utah Jazz in an NBA pre-season game on Sunday.

After that, Randle will remain with the 36ers on a two-year deal and Taylor will go home to California.

“It’s a little bit difficult but I understand it’s a business, this team wants to win now with the new arena and bringing in a former MVP and team MVP who’s a great player, I understand,” Taylor told The Advertiser in Utah.

“It was more than just wanting to play the Jazz (staying for the rest of the week), it was me being obligated to still being on this team, I didn’t want to just leave them, I was real close with the guys so telling them was hard but my job is to perform until my contract is up.”

After completing his first training session with his new teammates, Randle said he was “very excited” to be back.

“I think everybody knows my love for Adelaide and I didn’t want to leave here so I’m just glad to be back for another start,” Randle said.

Randle takes aim for the 36ers in Utah on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied.

“I wasn’t thinking twice about it, I turned down some deals in Europe, I’d just finished nine seasons and wasn’t too keen to go back there.

“I took some time to train and train some kids and the call came (to join Adelaide).

“It’s good that I’m coming while they’re still getting prepared for the season, to give my input on the guys and try to build some chemistry.

“I don’t want to say too much about it (how it ended in 2017), we having a fresh start, no matter what happened we start from zero and build that relationship how it should be.”

Randle said he felt for Taylor who understood the realities of professional basketball.

“I know he took it hard, we work with the same people (trainer in the US), so I wanted to let him know this business sometimes it’s not personal,” Randle said.

“So for him to try to keep his head right and stay encouraged, because once he goes to Europe it’s way more cut-throat, so he’s just got to keep his head and he’ll be alright.”

In other Sixers news, reigning NBL rookie of the year Harry Froling has been cleared to fly to the US and will arrive in Utah on Thursday. Froling had been dealing with a visa issue in Sydney after visiting Iran with the national team in February.

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