Julius Randle lends name to a very worthy cause

PLANO – He hasn’t played a minute in the NBA yet. But Plano native Julius Randle is already becoming a major factor in his community.

Randle announced Friday that he will host the Julius Randle Cure Cancer Jam on Sept. 27-28 in Plano. The 3-of-3 basketball tournament will be held from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sept. 27, and from 2-7 p.m. on Sept. 28.

The tournament will take place at Lifetime Fitness in Plano and at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, and is open to males and females ranging from fourth graders through adults. The goal of the two-day tournament is to raise awareness and funds for TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation and assist in its efforts to help find a cure for childhood cancers.

"I just hope it’s a great event that brings a lot of awareness to something that’s special to me,’’ Randle said Friday. "I don’t think any kid should have to go through (cancer).

"I don’t think any person in general should have to go through cancer. So I’m just bringing awareness to the situation.’’

The seventh overall pick of this past June’s NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, Randle graduated from Prestonwood Christian Academy in 2013, where he averaged 32.5 points and 22.5 rebounds as a senior. He then played just one year at Kentucky and helped the Wildcats reach the NCAA Finals this past April before declaring for the NBA Draft as an early entry candidate.

Still, Randle has forgotten his roots and was more than willing to lend a helping hand to a cause so dear to him.

The TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation was born from the legacy of Frisco’s Connor Cruse, who lost his four-year battle with neuroblastoma in 2009 at the age of eight.

"Connor went to my school and the story immediately had an impact on me, especially with him being a kid and him having to go through that,’’ Randle said. "I can’t imagine what his family had to go through.

"I definitely wanted to do something about it, so this is kind of how I got involved with it. It started with me being on the TeamConnor Junior Advisory Board (as a high school senior), and then I was still involved, even though I had gone to college.

"I just have a passion with working with kids in general. To see a kid suffering like that kind of touched me.’’

The registration fee for Randle’s basketball tournament is $200 per team, with a minimum of three players per team and a maximum of five players per team. To register and for more information, go to www.teamconnor.org/event/cure-cancer-jam-2014.

A 6-9, 250-pound power forward, the 19-year old Randle expects to have a large gathering competing in his two-day event. He’s just glad his influence can have an impact.

"I talked to my mom the other day and I think we’re at 150 (teams),’’ Randle said. "I think by the time the registration and all the stuff is in it should be close to 250 (teams).’’

Since the Lakers’ training camp starts two days after Randle’s event ends, the first-team all-Southeastern Conference selection doubts he’ll be able to convince any of his new teammates to make the trip down to Plano for his charity extravaganza. Randle, however, just knows his participation in this worthy event in his hometown is a no-brainer.

"I’m pretty sure I’ll mention it to some (Laker teammates), but guys are really just trying to get ready for the season and the start of training camp,’’ Randle said. "But this is something that’s important to me.’’

This story was originally published September 12, 2014 at 8:50 PM with the headline "Julius Randle lends name to a very worthy cause."