Although we never saw Randy Livingston play in Australia during his career he has been a huge proponent in developing Australian basketball talent for the past 5 years.
Randy is the only high school player to be ranked #1 player for two years running besides LeBron James.
Randy was a star at Louisiana State University before being drafted into the NBA by the Houston Rockets, where he teamed with the big three of Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler and Charles Barkley.
Randy played 11 seasons in the NBA before finishing his playing career with a quick stint in the D-League (where he won a league MVP) and Turkey.
Since then he has settled down in Tasmania and created LivOnBasketball, a program which provides basketball development camps and tours on one hand while providing NBA teams scouting reports of upcoming Australian and New Zealand talent on the other, Randy has started to make a mark on the Oceania basketball scene.
We spoke to Randy from his home in Tasmania about his program, the differences in the US and Australian basketball systems and how aspiring basketball players become professional basketballer players. throughout that time also.
Randy has worked with Australia’s NBA stars Dante Exum, Ben Simmons and Thon Maker as well as upcoming talents such as Isaac Humphries, William McDowell-White and Harry Froling. It’s rare to have someone with such a knowledge of both the Australian and American basketball systems that we took the time to ask him the difference between the two types and which one he feels is generating the best talent.
We’re also sure to chat with him about his NBA playing career which included stops at Houston, Atlanta, Phoenix, Golden State, Seattle, New Orleans, LA Clippers, Utah Jazz and the Chicago Bulls.
Highlights of the podcast includes;
What it was like being on the court with Olajuwon, Barkley and Drexler.
What upcoming Australian’s he feels will be the next big thing
Thoughts on Adelaide picking up High School star Terrance Ferguson and what ripple effects that could have for Australia and the US.
How he feels the Boomers will fare in Rio (it’s rare we get a non-Australian perspective on that).
How close Tasmania came to having an NBL team last year.
and much more
There’s plenty of stories of what he faced as an NBA rookie, thoughts on the game today and we even discuss gun violence… it’s a great episode.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
Former NBL player and current Casey Cavaliers head coach Luke Kendall joins the podcast to share his journey—from his junior basketball days to professional success and now a rising coaching career. Kendall developed under legendary coach Mike Dunlap at Metro State, where he won a national championship before moving to the NBL. He played for the Sydney Kings, Melbourne Tigers, Perth Wildcats, and Gold Coast Blaze, winning a championship with the Kings before injuries forced an early retirement. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of…
The possibility of an NBL expansion team in Geelong has gained momentum, with league owner Larry Kestelman confirming the city is a strong candidate—provided it can secure a suitable venue. However, much like we outlined in an article a number of years ago, How the Geelong Supercats could return to the NBL within 3 years, the missing piece isn’t just a stadium, but a real estate-backed development plan to make the project financially viable. Kestelman recently acknowledged Geelong’s growing basketball scene, citing record participation numbers…
There have been championship runs in the NBL defined by dominance and the sheer weight of talent that could overwhelm opponents before the ball was tipped. The dynasties of Perth, the star-studded reign of Melbourne, and the rise of Sydney’s financial muscle all tell tales of powerhouses that knew how to stay at the top. But there has only ever been one championship like Wollongong’s in 2001—a title won through sheer resilience, a team that had no business being there until they forced their way…
The Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award is supposed to recognise the most dominant defender in the NBA. If that’s the case, then Dyson Daniels should already have his name engraved on the trophy. But as the season winds down, there’s a growing concern that Daniels might get overlooked simply because he’s a guard. If that happens, it won’t just be unfair—it will be a disgrace. Daniels is Leading the NBA in Every Key Defensive Stat There’s no argument against Daniels’ defensive dominance this…
Sydney Kings captain Xavier Cooks has served most of his one-month suspension for testing positive for cocaine but may still face additional disciplinary action from his club. He was provisionally suspended in early February after returning an adverse analytical finding just two days before the Kings’ sudden-death clash against Adelaide. Basketball Australia later confirmed the ban, though the club initially cited “personal leave” as the reason for his absence. Despite the violation, Sydney Kings officials reportedly want to retain Cooks, who remains under contract for…
Below is an up-to-date roster for each NBL team and a list of rumours and potential signings derived from discussions with NBL staff and media. Players listed as contracted come from information supplied by the National Basketball League. * = Denotes import player ** = Naturalised Australian DP = a member of the team's development roster SRP = the previously named Asian player exception denoting an Asian player who qualifies as a local in the NBL. MP = Marquee players listed as known Click here…
The recent FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in Traralgon showcased not just Australia's dominance in the region but also why Australian basketball is becoming an invaluable asset for Asian nations looking to grow their game. The Boomers' commanding victories over Indonesia (109-58) and Thailand (114-64) were not just displays of superior talent but reflections of an elite system that consistently produces world-class players. For Asian basketball federations seeking a model to learn from, Australia offers an ideal blueprint—one that balances elite player development, a thriving professional…
A second Sydney NBL team is expected to be the league’s next expansion franchise, with Gold Coast, Darwin, and Canberra all encountering significant roadblocks in recent months. It’s believed the Harbour City Stars is the leading candidate for the team name, following a branding strategy similar to how San Francisco’s Golden State Warriors use a regional moniker rather than the city’s name. This broader identity would emphasize the team’s connection to Sydney’s iconic harbor while avoiding geographical constraints within the city. In addition to Harbour…