Just like every October for the past three years, Shavlik Randolph stood calmly at the foul line in Cameron Indoor Stadium, knocked down a foul shot, motioned to a Duke basketball manager for the ball and then buried another one.
This time, however, it was different.
Shelden Williams sat quietly in the stands, and J.J. Redick was nowhere to be seen. Instead Allen Iverson, Chris Webber and a new cast adorned in Sixers' Black, rather than Duke Blue, shared Coach K Court with the former Duke forward.
"It's kind of strange," Randolph said. "It just feels like one of Duke's practices when the managers are rebounding for us.... Then I look down, and I've got a Sixers' jersey on. I'm blessed. I feel fortunate, but it's a little weird."
Randolph has gone through a lot in his transition from Cameron Crazie icon to Philadelphia Sixer hopeful.
After averaging 4.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in the third year of a rocky collegiate career that Randolph himself deemed "mediocre," the former Blue Devil forward decided to waive his final year of eligibility and declare for the NBA Draft despite strong indications that he stood little chance of being selected. Randolph went undrafted, and it seemed like the former McDonald's All-American was destined to become another cautionary tale of unrealized potential.
Randolph, however, got the break he was hoping for when he signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia 76ers Aug. 5th.
"Sometimes in your life you've got to follow your heart, and that's what I did," Randolph said. "I made a decision based on faith, and God has blessed me, and I've followed him to this point, and everything is working out."
Since August, a determined Randolph has been working hard in Philadelphia to get his body in shape to try and avoid the injuries and illnesses that plagued him during his time in Durham. The 6-foot-10 forward said he has focused on honing his perimeter game and regaining his quickness.
"He's looked good," 76ers President and General Manager Billy King said. "The one thing that he has that most big guys don't have is a great skill level. He can handle it, he can shoot it, and all I've asked him to do is rebound, play defense and play hard."
King added that Randolph will likely make the Philadelphia roster. Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, NBA teams are allowed to keep 12 players on their active roster and between one and three additional inactive players. Teams can also send two of those players to the National Basketball Development League-the NBA's minor league-provided they are in either their first or second year.
If he makes the roster, Randolph would make at least the league minimum of $398,762 in his rookie season. The terms of his contract have not been disclosed.
"Shav's done a great job, he's been up in Philadelphia for most of the summer, and he's worked hard every day," King said. "It's his spot to lose, and I think he's earned it up to this point, but now he can't relax."
Many of the other Sixers' players, including forward Kyle Korver, echoed King's sentiments and praised Randolph for his recent play and strong work ethic. But forward Michael Bradley, who is entering his fifth season in the NBA, said Randolph's battle has just begun.
"Right down on the bottom man, you got to start there and work your way up," Bradley said. "I mean I was a first round draft pick, and I hardly ever played.... He'll probably have to start at the bottom and work through everything to get up the ladder."
King's announcement that Randolph would likely make the roster at the start of training camp Tuesday was both apropos and vindicating for the former Blue Devil.
"I knew I could do it, and so many people told me that I couldn't and I wouldn't," Randolph said. "I'm here, I'm doing what people said I wouldn't be able to do, I have no regrets."
Though he may not have second-guessed his decision, Randolph said there is still much that he misses now that he is no longer a Blue Devil. Randolph said he misses his interaction with teammates and the wisdom of the coaching staff most of all.
"[I miss] the camaraderie with the guys and hanging out and just that fellowship with them and going into war," Randolph said. "Duke's always going to be the best, so everyone wants to come after you, so just having a bond because of that."
Several Blue Devils were quick to welcome their friend and former teammate back to campus with a good-hearted prank. While Randolph was settling in at Cameron Indoor Stadium, they moved his belongings into the bathroom instead of the locker room, he said.
King, the 1988 National Defensive Player of the Year, knows about the strong relationship between past and present Blue Devils, having played for Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski from 1985-1988.
"Everybody that's played here, it's a special place for all of us," King said. "Once you're part of the Duke family, you're always part of the Duke family."
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