Mark Randall was one of the greatest players in KU history

                                                           KU Libraries Digital Collections

In my Sept. 27, 2024 blog, I wrote about Mark Randall and included my Where Are They Now? story I wrote on him in 1999. Here is more on one of KU's all-time greats, whose selfless play and pure heart and emotion won over KU coach Roy Williams and thousands of Jayhawk fans.

Mark Randall had a decorated prep career at Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colorado. The Colorado High School Player of the Year as a senior in 1986, he was a McDonald’s All-American while also earning Street & Smith, Gatorade and Parade All-American honors. Randall, who averaged 27.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 4.2 steals per game his senior year while shooting 68% percent from the field and 79% at the free throw line, competed in the McDonald’s All-Star Classic in Washington, D.C. and the East-West All-Star game in Detroit.

The 6-foot-9 do-it-all forward led Cherry Creek to the state finals, falling to Washington High despite Randall’s 27 points. His high school coach was former NBA and ABA star Mack Calvin, who called his protégé “the next Larry Bird.” Randall chose KU over Duke, Arizona and Colorado.

Randall, who was born in Edina, Minnesota, to Thomas Randall and Patricia Trapanese, then joined fellow KU signee Kevin Pritchard on the North team coached by Notre Dame coach Digger Phelps at the National Sports Festival in Houston

KU coach Larry Brown raved over Randall and his signing class on his Hawk Talk radio show. In addition to Randall, Brown inked Robert Coyne, Jeff Gueldner and Keith Harris in the early November signing period. Pritchard signed in the spring, choosing KU over Kentucky.

“I don’t know if it’s the fifth best (nationally), but we signed four terrific kids as far as I’m concerned,” Brown said. “The four kids we signed can play anywhere. Three of them were recruited by everybody. None of them are like a Danny Manning, but they don’t come along very often. I think Mark Randall and Keith Harris have the potential to play in our program and compete with anybody. I wouldn’t trade our class with anyone.”

“Mark Randall is as good as any prospect we’ve ever signed here,” Brown added. “In my mind, he’s the number one prospect in America, and we’re very fortunate to have him. He’s 6’9 1/2 and can handle the ball, run, and defend. He’s tough. He’s got a chance to make an impact in our program immediately next year.

“I went out to California and saw Keith play in a tournament.  He got 11 points and 15 rebounds the night I saw him, and made me feel even better about the fact that he signed early.I just think he’s going to be a great addition to our program.He’s still just 16 and won’t be 17 till March 28. He can defend and he can handle the ball, and I believe he’s going to be a great player for us. 

“Randall got 20 the first half when I went to see him, and his team won by about 40 points. Both of those coaches are great coaches. They pressure man to man and they run and they allow their kids to play and they’re well disciplined. I think they’re both going to be great additions to our program. Randall is 6’9 and he’s athletic. He does a lot of the same things Danny (Manning) does. For his size, he can handle the ball and pass it. He’s a tough kid and I think they’re both going to be great players.”

What they’re saying about Mark Randall.

Purdue coach Gene Keady, who coached Randall at the World University Games in 1989: “The thing about Mark is that he was enjoyable to be around because he was completely team-oriented. He’s an excellent player and his tools are positive. Mark has a good shot, and understands the game. He can go inside or go outside and make his shots. He is versatile.”

Jay Randolph, Raycom Network Announcer:

“I like Randall. He’s hardworking and a smart player. After the year layoff (redshirted in 1987-88). I thought he’d have trouble coming back – but he only got better. He impresses me.”

KU coach Roy Williams, who said this before his junior year in 1989-90:

“There’s no doubt in my mind that Mark Randall can be an outstanding player at the University of Kansas if he continues to work hard. He’s a weapon because of his ability to run the court, play out on the floor, and down low in the post. I’m anticipating he’ll have a good year.”

Teammate Mike Maddox on the great chemistry of him and Randall and how they operated the high-low offense to virtual perfection in 1989-90.

“Mark and I developed a real feel for each other, and really took the offense and kind of adapted it to our own games. I probably went to the high post 70 percent of the time, and he went to the low post. ... I was a decent high outside shooter, and Mark was good down on the block. It was hard for defenses to defend both of us.”

Teammate Steve Woodberry on Randall and the 1991 Final Four team.

“That was special...Nobody expected us to get close to the Final Four...Mark Randall was the star, but everybody did their role and played together…That was a special year.”

Randall said it before the 1990-91 season. He averaged 13.3 points and 6.2 rebounds in 1989-90.

“I don’t have great numbers, but I do think that I can do things to help the team win.”

Randall started at the World Championships in Argentina the summer of 1990 and helped the team win a bronze medal. Other starters were Billy Owens (Syracuse), Kenny Anderson (Georgia Tech), Alonzo Mourning (Georgetown) and Chris Smith (Georgetown).

One national publication called Randall one of five “Rising Stars” in college basketball before the 1990-91 season, along with Todd Day (Arkansas), Chris Gatling (Old Dominion), Bryant Stith (Virginia) and Henry Williams (UNC-Charlotte). Inside Sports wrote that “Randall…runs the floor as well as any big man in the country.”

After Randall led underdog KU to the 1991 Final Four and ended his career as KU’s all-time field goal percentage leader (62.0) and No. 6-leading scorer (1,627 points), Williams said “you don’t replace a Mark Randall. He did so much for this team on and off the floor.”

Indeed, he did. Mark, thanks for the enduring memories!

He was inducted into the CHSAA (Colorado High School Activities Association) Hall of Fame in 2013.

Randall's bio starts with this rave review of the man:

"It’s hard to say that Mark Randall’s selection to the CHSAA Hall of Fame was based solely on his basketball ability. Nor, was it based solely on his work with Kroenke Sports in the community. Frankly, it was based on the character, integrity and person that Randall is and demonstrates each day..."