Zach Randolph is a retired professional basketball player who spent 17 seasons in the National Basketball Association. He was born on July 16, 1981, in Marion, Indiana, and attended Michigan State University, where he played basketball for two seasons before declaring for the NBA draft in 2001.
Randolph was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 19th overall pick in the draft and spent six seasons with the team. He established himself as a reliable scorer and rebounder during his time in Portland, averaging 16.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game during his tenure with the Blazers.
In 2007, Randolph was traded to the New York Knicks, where he played for one season before being traded again to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2008. He spent two seasons with the Clippers before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2009, where he found a new home and established himself as a fan favorite.
During his time with the Grizzlies, Randolph became known as one of the best power forwards in the league. He was a two-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2011. Randolph helped lead the Grizzlies to seven consecutive playoff appearances, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2013.
Randolph is known for his versatility on the court, ability to score in the post and tenacity on the glass. He was also a respected leader and mentor to his younger teammates, and his presence in the locker room was widely regarded as a significant factor in the Grizzlies’ success.
After spending eight seasons with the Grizzlies, Randolph signed with the Sacramento Kings in 2017, where he played for one season before announcing his retirement from the NBA in 2018. Today, he is remembered as one of the most beloved players in Grizzlies’ history and one of the best power forwards of his generation.