NBL video: Axed Adelaide 36ers import Craig Randall’s mum hits back at Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams

The ugly fallout to the axing of Adelaide 36ers import Craig Randall II has taken an unexpected turn. Watch the video and see Randall’s mum’s reaction.

Axed Adelaide 36ers import guard Craig Randall II was warned that his poor attitude could cost him his job, but he failed to listen.

NBL commentator Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams has labelled Randall a “liability” and a “fringe” NBA player after revealing the troubled guard hadn’t heeded his advice to be professional.

Now just 38 days after dropping 35 points, including nine of 17 from three, in a historic pre-season win over the Phoenix Suns, the guard has been released by the 36ers due to his selfish behaviour.

“It’s disappointing - I reached out to you and spoke to you,” Williams fumed about Randall on the NBL’s Overtime program, which airs on the league’s social channels from 7.30pm on Tuesday.

“I had your back and to see your body language continue. To see you arguing with the head coach that believed in you.

“Your teammates – nobody wants to play with you. It can’t be them.

.@chomicide has gone 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐈𝐍 on Craig Randall II, slamming the outgoing @Adelaide36ers guard for his attitude during his time at the 36ers 😳

You don't want to miss tonight's #NBLOvertime, dropping at 7:30pm AEDT ⌚️

More: https://t.co/leinu2lkc3pic.twitter.com/ocA1xZq1Yk

— The NBL (@NBL) November 8, 2022

“At some point when 10 people say it’s you, it’s you. You’re a hooper, but you’re not a pro.

“There is a difference. Professionalism is what you lack and that is going to hurt you more than help you.

“I reached out to you, I told you things that you need to do, and I told you how this country is, meaning that nonsense that you do, you can’t do that here.

“Just curb this, change this. What happened, you didn’t do your part and it ain’t nobody’s fault except yours.

“All you’ve got to do is keep it together and hoop.”

Williams rates Randall as a pure scorer, but insists he won’t progress in his career if his average attitude continues.

The 36ers are set to release the talented but troubled Craig Randall. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

The guard experienced similar behavioural problems in the G League with the Long Island Nets last season.

Randall was asked to sit out the remaining five games of the season, despite averaging 28 points.

Williams feels like history is repeating for the 26-year-old guard.

“This ain’t the first time this has happened,” he said.

“It happened in the G League, so what you did was double down on whatever the stigma was about you.

“You’ve proved them right.

“In life you are either an asset or a liability – and he (Randall) is a liability.

“The saddest thing in life is wasted talent. He is arguing with coaches and arguing with teammates.”

Williams believes Randall has the ability to play in the NBA, but his approach is holding him back.

Craig Randall of the 36ers and William McDowell-White.

“Despite what happened in the pre-season against Phoenix, you’re a fringe NBA player,” he said.

“You know the first thing they ask about fringe NBA players – you are bigger than your ability. Are you a good person, is he coachable?

“It doesn‘t even matter if you are a good person or not if you aren’t coachable.

“You probably have an x against your name in the locker room – next guy.

“This is the harsh reality of where you‘re at today.”

Williams’ strong comments prompted Randall’s mother to hit out at the commentator on the NBL’s social channels.

“Mr Williams, your public appraisal is unwarranted and unnecessary,” Mrs Randall said.

“Sadly, it speaks volumes of your integrity and duplicity amongst other things.

“Use your platform to build up - it will serve a far better purpose.”

It comes as an extensive rap sheet of poor behaviour left Adelaide with no choice but to release Randall.

Adelaide 36ers import Craig Randall II is in the firing line following two incidents over the weekend, which have raised question marks about his attitude. #theAdvertiserhttps://t.co/pHT04q0FL2

— The Advertiser (@theTiser) October 31, 2022

The gifted yet troubled guard has caused chemistry issues within the 36ers franchise dating back to the pre-season, as revealed by News Corp.

It’s why a fed-up Adelaide agreed to part ways with Randall, despite him being the team’s leading scorer through six games.

Key 36ers players approached the club saying they could no longer play alongside the guard, forcing the franchise to act.

It’s understood star signing Robert Franks was particularly vocal about his teammate’s attitude and its impact on the team.

Randall has rubbed teammates and the coaching staff the wrong way with his selfish mindset, which has been confirmed by multiple sources.

The reigning G League Most Improved Player recently slammed the accusations as an attempt to “divide” him from his 36ers teammates.

However, it’s understood the 36ers have been dealing with the guard’s attitude and reluctance to buy into the team-first culture since the pre-season.

It can be revealed that Randall had a heated exchange with coaching staff in the Adelaide dressing room during the pre-season Blitz in Darwin.

There have also been issues with the guard’s willingness to train while he has had physical clashes with teammates at training.

An upset Randall caused a scene in the shootaround prior to Saturday’s game against Perth when coach Bruton told him he would start on the bench.

Craig Randall II dunks.

It’s understood the guard took his shoes off and just sat on the sideline.

Bruton addressed benching the import guard post-game, saying: “He didn’t like it or agree with it”.

Randall was also caught on camera arguing with 36ers coach CJ Bruton about the team’s poor first-half performance against New Zealand back in round 5.

Randall attempted to storm off as Bruton grabbed him on the arm.

The guard also raised eyebrows prior to a clash against South East Melbourne for standing alone as his Adelaide teammates sung the national anthem with their arms locked.

According to Randall, though, there have been no issues with his teammates, and he isn’t sure why he is being painted as a bad teammate.

“I don’t know, and I honestly don’t care,” Randall recently said.

“I think it’s funny because I know me as a person and a lot of people are making statements and assumptions through what they see.

“They don’t really hear the conversations, they just (comment) on what it might look like.

“But people are going to have opinions, they are going to be critical, but the only criticism I listen to is from my coach.

“As long as he and my teammates are good with me, everybody can say what they want to say.

“We know what is going on in-house, so it is what it is.”

The 36ers released a statement on Tuesday morning confirming the club had agreed to part ways with Randall by mutual consent.

“The decision has been made in the best interests of Craig and the club moving forward and for Craig to pursue other opportunities at the highest level,” the statement said.

“The 36ers organisation would like to thank Craig for his time at the club and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

Coach Bruton conceded the 36ers and Randall weren’t on the same page, and parting ways was the ideal result for both parties.

“I think where we’re at right now as a club, and I know it’s early days in the season, but as a team we’re looking to build momentum in the right direction,” Bruton said.

“He is one of the league’s leading scorers, and a talented player, but I just think it’s best if we just part ways at this point in time in the season so he can go and fulfil his dreams and we can continue on our pathway.”

Bruton was coy when asked if issues behind the scenes contributed to Randall’s release.

“There are always pros and cons in every player and every decision that is made,” he said.

“The kid is great, and we all know that he is talented, but we’ve all got our things that we need to work on.

“I’d like to think that between him (Craig) and me that we are at peace with where we are both at.”

Nick Marshall will be elevated to the 11-man roster as the 36ers review an import replacement.

It’s a delicate predicament for the 36ers given Randall is a standout performer, but the club had to put the culture first.

Originally published as NBL video: Axed Adelaide 36ers import Craig Randall’s mum hits back at Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams