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Soft-spoken and courteous, Woodrow Wilson High School senior ANTHONY RANDOLPH may not seem intimidating at first encounter, but to opponents on the basketball court, he’s a force to be reckoned with. “He doesn’t talk a lot,” says his coach, Pat Washington. “He listens, though. You may think he’s not paying attention, but three or four weeks later, he’ll tell you something you said.” Randolph averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds this season, and last fall top NCAA schools all over the country were chomping at the bit to get to him. In the end, the lucky one was Louisiana State University. “Anthony is probably one of the nicest kids you’ll meet, and I think he has an opportunity to be one of the best basketball players out of this area,” Washington says. “If he continues to develop as a person and as a player, the sky’s the limit for him.”

 

YOU’VE BEEN RANKED AS HIGH AS ONE OF THE TOP 10 RECRUITS IN THE NATION AND THE TOP RECRUIT IN TEXAS. WHAT’S ALL THE HYPE ABOUT?

I don’t know. I don’t see what they’re talking about. I guess that I’m able to do so much for my size. I’m able to shoot, dribble, play inside and out.

 

AND WHAT IS YOUR SIZE?

6-feet, 10-inches and 200 pounds.

 

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING BASKETBALL?

For about four or five years.

 

HOW DID YOU GET THIS GOOD IF YOU STARTED PLAYING BASKETBALL ONLY A FEW YEARS AGO?

My coaches, like coach Washington, have worked with me every day, and just being in the gym every day in the summer for the past two years.

 

WHY WERE ALL THOSE SCHOOLS AFTER YOU?

I guess for what they think I can do for their program.

 

DO YOU ENJOY BEING IN THE SPOTLIGHT?

No, ma’am. It’s kind of nerve wracking, with everybody trying to get all up in your face.

 

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE LSU?

It just felt right when I went down there. I got along with all the coaches and players, and I liked their system — the type of offense they run, how they play defense. And I think the conference will make me a lot tougher. I’m tough, but you always have to prove yourself.

 

THOSE IN THE KNOW DESCRIBE YOU AS “VERSATILE” ON THE COURT. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

That I’m able to play inside the post or on the wing.    

 

WHAT POSITION DO YOU MOST ENJOY?

Power forward and the post — you get to do a little bit of everything.

 

WHAT’S YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AS A WOODROW BASKETBALL PLAYER?

Suiting up every day in a Woodrow Wilson uniform. 

 

IS THERE A GAME THAT STANDS OUT TO YOU?

Probably a game I played in September at Rucker Park (in New York City). It was one of the first all-star games I played, and I played on the same court as many other legends like Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, just a lot of people.

 

WHAT PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS DO YOU TRY TO EMULATE ON THE COURT?

Amare Stoudemire and Kevin Garnett. They’re so versatile, and they do so much for their teams.

 

ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO COLLEGE BALL?

Yes, just being able to start something new.

 

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO BRING TO THE LSU TEAM?

Whatever I can.