Randle works out for Sixers
The 76ers worked out Julius Randle, who could slide to them in the NBA draft if reports are true.
The former Kentucky power forward reportedly had a private workout with the franchise Wednesday morning at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. The workout occurred before the Sixers put former Michigan State guard Gary Harris and former North Carolina guard P.J. Hairston and others guard prospects through drills. Libertyballers.com first reported the news.
Randle, who left Kentucky following his freshman season, is scheduled to work out for the Boston Celtics on Friday. However, the 6-foot-9, 250-pounder may need to have surgery on his right foot after the NBA draft.
The Sixers have the third and 10th overall picks in the NBA Draft on June 26. ESPN.com projects the 19-year-old will be selected seventh by the Los Angeles Lakers. There's a chance Randle could slip to the Sixers at 10 if teams are fearful about his foot.
Randle missed three months as a high school senior in Texas after fracturing his foot. He had screws inserted in his foot. Yahoo Sports is reporting the screws must be removed following the draft for precautionary reasons. As a result, Yahoo Sports reports that he will be sidelined six to eight weeks, thus missing summer league.
Randle's mother, Carolyn Kyles, said the reports are false.
"Everything with Julius is fine," Kyles told the Louisville Courier-Journal. "There is no surgery scheduled whatsoever. Nothing. They don't have a clue. They haven't spoken to us. They haven't spoken to Julius' doctor. I know for a fact, because he is my son. There is no surgery scheduled, period, now or after."
Yahoo Sports stands by its reporting, stating that multiple teams have his medical records and expect him to have surgery. It also reported that teams are concerned that major problems could occur down the road if Randle doesn't undergo a minor surgery this summer.
Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers.