Q&A: Julius Randle on the 3-point contest, his son’s viral reaction and a bounceback all-star season

“He might be more competitive than me.”

When Julius Randle was named an all-star in 2021, he was just a 26-year-old in the middle of a breakout season with little outside expectations for how far his team could go.

In 2023, he’s a two-time all-star with an entire city on his back.

It’s been clear in a resurgent season for Randle that the New York Knicks go as he goes. After missing the playoffs last year in what Randle agreed to be a down season for himself, the Knicks are rolling again and their leader is “a lot better” for the experience.

Randle’s bounceback even earned him a surprise invite to Saturday’s 3-point contest as an injury replacement. And while his 13 points weren’t the worst showing of the participants, they were just bad enough to turn his adorable son Kyden into a meme for the night.

Randle discussed that funny moment, his all-star experience and more with FTW in a conversation about his partnership with Starry, the NBA’s newest official soft drink.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

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