Imports join Jerome Randle’s ‘Hallelujah’ chorus for coach Joey Wright’s coaching talents

JEROME Randle hasn’t been candid or coy in declaring Adelaide 36ers coach Joey Wright has masterminded his rise to be playing the best basketball of his life.

BASKETBALL - Adelaide 36ers v Cairns Taipans at Titanium Security Arena. 36ers coach Joey Wright talks to his new recruit Jerome Randle on the bench before he makes his first appearance for the team. Photo Sarah Reed.

JEROME Randle hasn’t been candid or coy in declaring Adelaide 36ers coach Joey Wright has masterminded his rise to be playing the best basketball of his life.

Randle took the unusual step of taking to Facebook and penning a heartfelt letter of gratitude to his NBL championship-winning mentor and it immediately resonated.

Jamar Wilson, the 36ers’ MVP import last season, added his support of Randle’s sentiments, as did Ayinde Ubaka, who played for Wright at Gold Coast Blaze before stints in Cairns, Melbourne and Wollongong.

“Since my professional career, I’ve lost the love I had for the game of basketball,” Randle wrote.

“It became a job, I never played the game that way and I wasn’t playing to my potential.

“I prayed for a coach to allow me to play my game and understand basketball isn’t a perfect game, that you will make mistakes, you will miss shots and you won’t win every match.

“A coach who won’t be afraid to tell you off when they see you are not playing to your fullest potential.

“I have that in my coach Joey Wright and my prayers have been answered.

“Let’s ball!”

Not unexpectedly, the post has created huge interest but the fact other imports have weighed in further raises Wright’s stocks as one of the NBL’s coaching masters.

Ubaka commented: “He did the exact thing for me! It’s a life blessing and for a basketball player that’s the closest thing to the lord it can get because basketball is life for us. It’s crazy!”

Then Wilson, who was a dual club MVP with Cairns Taipans before adding a third such honour to his resume in Adelaide, weighed in with: “Ayinde X Ubaka for me as well. When he said that he would make basketball fun he never lied Jerome Randle. Joey Wright You a blessing Bra!”

That brought Randle back into the conversation with: “Yessir Jamar Wilson Ayinde X Ubaka he has brought that love back man because I lost it playing overseas bro. Glad you guys let me know wassup because it help me a great deal U have no idea”

Power forward Ira Clark, who played as an import under Wright at the Blaze, added his two cents worth with: “I miss that in coach Joey Wright, he inspired me on so many levels. He is a great coach and friend. There’s a reason he has been so successful as a coach.”

Wright, originally signed to coach the 36ers for three years but who recently signed a three-year extension, probably wishes he’d held off that negotiation, had he known such a lovefest was in the offing.

He finally gently joined the discussion, humbled by his players’ kindness but reminding them a coach can only get results from players who want to be coached.

“I’m am flattered though, as well as humbled,” he said.

Originally published as Imports join Jerome Randle’s ‘Hallelujah’ chorus for coach Joey Wright’s coaching talents