Randy Foye
Randy Foye is an American former professional basketball player who played primarily as a shooting guard and point guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 11 seasons from 2006 to 2017. Born on September 24, 1983, in Newark, New Jersey, Foye rose through the ranks as a highly touted prospect, earning New Jersey Player of the Year honors at East Side High School before starring at Villanova University, where he was named a first-team All-American as a senior in 2005–06, averaging 20.5 points per game. Selected seventh overall in the 2006 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics—whose rights were immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves—Foye quickly established himself as a reliable scorer and perimeter shooter, finishing fifth in Rookie of the Year voting during his debut season.[1][2] Throughout his NBA career, Foye suited up for seven teams, showcasing versatility as a combo guard with career averages of 10.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists across 752 regular-season games. His journeyman tenure began with three seasons in Minnesota (2006–09), where he earned NBA Rookie of the Month honors for December 2006 and was named to the All-Rookie First Team after averaging 10.1 points per game as a rookie. Traded to the Washington Wizards in 2009, Foye spent one season there before moving to the Los Angeles Clippers (2010–12), where he provided steady bench production, including a career-high 36 points in a single game during the 2011–12 season. He later contributed to playoff pushes with the Utah Jazz (2012–13), Denver Nuggets (2013–16)—including ranking ninth in the league with 498 three-point attempts in 2013–14—and brief stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets to close out his career in 2017.[3][4][2] Foye's most notable achievements highlight his early promise and consistent three-point shooting prowess; beyond his rookie accolades, he ranked among the league's top free-throw shooters in 2010–11 (89.3% from the line) and provided key scoring off the bench for multiple contenders, amassing 7,746 career points while shooting 36.6% from beyond the arc. Retiring after the 2016–17 season, Foye's career exemplifies the archetype of a dependable role player who navigated trades and team changes to sustain a decade-plus in the league, leaving a legacy of resilience shaped by his urban roots in Newark. In 2025, he received Villanova University's Alumni Medallion Award for his ongoing mentorship and leadership contributions.[3][5][2][6]Early career
High school career
Randy Foye was born on September 24, 1983, in Newark, New Jersey. Orphaned early in life after his father died in a motorcycle accident when Foye was two years old and his mother disappeared when he was five—later confirmed to have died from an overdose in 1990—Foye was raised by his grandmother and aunt in a challenging urban environment. They emphasized education and perseverance, while basketball served as his primary outlet and motivation, helping him channel personal hardships into focused determination on the court.[3][1][7] Foye developed his basketball skills at East Side High School in Newark, where he became a standout performer. As a senior, he averaged 22.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game, leading his team to the New Jersey state Group IV title. His dominant play earned him the New Jersey Player of the Year award in 2002.[8][9] To enhance his recruitment profile, Foye transferred to South Kent School in Connecticut for a postgraduate year. There, he continued to develop as a player.[9] As a highly touted prospect ranked among the top 50 national recruits, Foye drew interest from multiple colleges, including offers from Seton Hall and Syracuse. He ultimately committed to Villanova University, signing with head coach Jay Wright as part of a strong incoming class.[10][3]College career
Randy Foye began his collegiate career at Villanova University in 2002, playing four seasons for the Wildcats under head coach Jay Wright. As a freshman in 2002–03, he quickly earned a starting role, appearing in 31 games and averaging 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 36.2% from the field.[11] Foye's contributions helped Villanova secure a bid to the NCAA Tournament as a 12-seed in the West Region, though the team fell in the first round to Siena, 74–59.[](https://www.espn.com/m mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/230772561/villanova-siena) During his sophomore season in 2003–04, Foye showed marked improvement, starting all 35 games and boosting his production to 13.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 38.7%.[12] The Wildcats finished with an 18–17 overall record but did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament, instead participating in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). In his junior year of 2004–05, Foye elevated his game further, averaging 15.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game across 32 contests, while leading the Big East Conference in steals at 2.1 per game (tied) and earning First Team All-Big East honors.[13][14] Villanova advanced to the second round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament as an 8-seed, defeating 9-seed Monmouth before a 67–66 loss to top-seeded and eventual national champion North Carolina. Foye's senior campaign in 2005–06 marked his pinnacle, as he started all 33 games, averaging 20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game en route to Big East Player of the Year honors and consensus first-team All-American recognition.[15][16] Under his leadership, Villanova shared the Big East regular-season title with a 14–2 conference record and earned the program's first No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament since 1985, advancing to the Elite Eight with victories over 16-seed Monmouth, 8-seed Michigan State, and 4-seed Boston College before a 75–62 defeat to eventual champion Florida. Over his entire career, Foye appeared in 131 games, averaging 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, and he graduated with a bachelor's degree in geography.[17][18]Professional career
2006 NBA draft
Prior to the 2006 NBA draft, Randy Foye was projected as a lottery pick, valued for his scoring ability, perimeter shooting, and quickness as a combo guard out of Villanova.[19] Scouting reports highlighted his one-on-one skills and potential to contribute immediately as a guard, though some teams viewed him more as a reserve due to questions about his pure point guard instincts.[20] Foye participated in pre-draft workouts with multiple teams, including the Boston Celtics, who were actively evaluating guards for their seventh overall selection.[21] On June 28, 2006, Foye was selected seventh overall in the first round by the Boston Celtics.[3] Immediately following the pick, his draft rights were traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in a deal that sent Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, and a 2009 first-round pick to Boston in exchange for Foye, Raef LaFrentz, and Dan Dickau.[22] Portland then traded Foye's rights directly to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the sixth overall pick, Brandon Roy.[23] Foye signed a four-year rookie scale contract with the Timberwolves worth $11,471,401, including team options for the final two seasons.[24] His selection placed him in a talented 2006 draft class that featured future stars like Chris Paul (first overall), Deron Williams (third overall), and Brandon Roy (sixth overall).[25]Minnesota Timberwolves (2006–2009)
Foye joined the Minnesota Timberwolves after being selected seventh overall in the 2006 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics and subsequently acquired by Minnesota in a draft-night trade that sent the sixth overall pick, Brandon Roy, to Portland. In his rookie season of 2006–07, Foye appeared in all 82 games for the Timberwolves, starting 12, while averaging 10.1 points, 2.8 assists, and 22.9 minutes per game as a combo guard coming off the bench behind starter Marko Jarić.[3] He showed promise as a scorer and playmaker, including a 24-point performance against the Seattle SuperSonics in March 2007, but the team finished 32–50 amid ongoing roster transitions following the departure of key veterans.[26] Foye's second season in 2007–08 was hampered by a left knee stress reaction that sidelined him indefinitely starting in late October, causing him to miss 43 games and limiting him to just 39 appearances, though he started 31 of them.[27] Upon returning, he averaged 13.1 points and a career-high 4.2 assists per game in 32.3 minutes, emerging as a more assertive backcourt leader for a Timberwolves squad adjusting to the blockbuster trade of Kevin Garnett to Boston in July 2007, which contributed to a 24–58 record.[3][28] During the 2008–09 campaign, Foye solidified his role as a starter in 61 of 70 games, posting averages of 16.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 35.6 minutes per game while shooting 36.5% from three-point range, highlighted by a career-high 16 rebounds against the Chicago Bulls in December 2008.[3] The Timberwolves, however, continued to falter without Garnett's presence, finishing 29–53 and missing the playoffs for the fifth straight year under coach Kevin McHale. Over his three seasons in Minnesota, Foye developed into a versatile combo guard capable of handling primary ball-handling duties and providing perimeter scoring, averaging 13.2 points and 3.7 assists across 191 games.[26] His tenure ended on June 24, 2009, when the Timberwolves traded him along with Mike Miller to the Washington Wizards in exchange for the fifth overall draft pick (used to select Ricky Rubio), Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila, and Oleksiy Pecherov, as part of Minnesota's rebuilding efforts.[29]Washington Wizards (2009–2010)
On June 24, 2009, Randy Foye was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Washington Wizards along with forward Mike Miller in exchange for the Wizards' No. 5 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, center Etan Thomas, forward Darius Songaila, and forward Oleksiy Pecherov.[29] This acquisition was intended to bolster the Wizards' backcourt depth behind point guard Gilbert Arenas and shooting guard DeShawn Stevenson, with Foye positioned as a versatile combo guard capable of providing scoring off the bench.[30] During the 2009–10 season, Foye appeared in 70 games for the Wizards, starting 38 of them while averaging 23.8 minutes per game. He contributed 10.1 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game, serving primarily as a reliable bench scorer and facilitator in a struggling lineup.[3] His role expanded significantly in December 2009 following Arenas' indefinite suspension (later reduced to 50 games) amid the infamous gun incident in the locker room, which disrupted the team's chemistry and led to Foye stepping up to help stabilize the backcourt alongside Stevenson and Javaris Crittenton.[31] Despite these efforts, the Wizards finished the season with a 26–56 record, marking one of their worst performances in franchise history amid ongoing rebuilding challenges.[32] Foye became an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2010 after the Wizards declined to extend him a qualifying offer, paving the way for his departure from the team.[33] On July 8, 2010, he signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.[34]Los Angeles Clippers (2010–2012)
In July 2010, following his departure from the Washington Wizards as an unrestricted free agent, Randy Foye signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers to bolster their backcourt depth.[34][35] During the 2010–11 season, Foye primarily came off the bench as a reserve guard, providing scoring and playmaking support in 63 games while averaging 7.8 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 24.6 minutes per game.[3] His contributions helped the Clippers improve their performance, finishing with a 32–50 record under coach Vinny Del Negro, a step up from their 29–53 mark the previous year despite ongoing roster challenges.[36] In the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, Foye transitioned into a sixth man role, appearing in 65 games and averaging 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 25.9 minutes per game, often stepping up amid injuries and trades.[3] The midseason acquisition of Chris Paul on December 14 via a blockbuster trade from the New Orleans Hornets transformed the Clippers' backcourt dynamic, pairing Foye's versatility with Paul's elite facilitation and elevating the team's contention status.[37] This synergy contributed to a franchise-best 40–26 record, securing the Western Conference's fourth seed and the Clippers' first playoff appearance since 2006; however, they were swept 4–0 by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.[38] Foye's steady presence off the bench during the regular season and limited playoff minutes underscored the Clippers' shift toward playoff viability.[39] Foye's contract expired at the end of the season, making him an unrestricted free agent; he subsequently signed with the Utah Jazz on July 25, 2012.[40]Utah Jazz (2012–2013)
On July 25, 2012, the Utah Jazz agreed to terms with free-agent guard Randy Foye on a one-year contract valued at $2.5 million, following the expiration of his deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.[40][35] During the 2012–13 season, Foye became a vital starter for the Jazz after point guard Mo Williams underwent thumb surgery in December 2012 and missed time until March 2013, creating a significant backcourt void.[41] Foye appeared in all 82 games, starting 72 of them while averaging 10.8 points, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 rebounds per game in 27.4 minutes of play; he shot 41.0 percent from three-point range on 4.3 attempts per game, marking a resurgence in his scoring efficiency.[3] His perimeter shooting and steady guard play provided crucial spacing and production, helping stabilize the offense amid the injury challenges. The Jazz concluded the regular season with a 43–39 record, finishing third in the Northwest Division but ninth in the Western Conference, which was insufficient to qualify for the playoffs.[42] Foye entered unrestricted free agency at the conclusion of the season and was not re-signed by Utah.[43]Denver Nuggets (2013–2016)
Following his time with the Utah Jazz, Randy Foye entered free agency and was acquired by the Denver Nuggets on July 10, 2013, as part of a three-team sign-and-trade deal involving the Golden State Warriors, in exchange for a future second-round draft pick; he signed a three-year contract worth $9.1 million.[44][45] In the 2013–14 season, Foye emerged as a key contributor for the Nuggets, averaging 13.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while starting in 78 of his 81 appearances.[39] On February 3, 2014, he hit his first career game-winning shot, a 30-foot three-pointer at the buzzer to secure a 116–115 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.[46] The Nuggets qualified for the playoffs that year but were eliminated in the first round by the Warriors.[47] During the 2014–15 season, Foye transitioned to a bench role amid increased competition in the backcourt, appearing in 50 games and averaging 8.7 points per game with 1.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists.[39] The Nuggets struggled overall, finishing with a 30–52 record and missing the playoffs.[48] In the 2015–16 season, Foye continued providing scoring off the bench for Denver, averaging 6.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game across 54 appearances before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 18, 2016, in exchange for D.J. Augustin, Steve Novak, and two second-round picks.[39][49] The Nuggets ended the season with a 33–49 record, again failing to reach the postseason.[50] Over his three seasons in Denver, Foye offered veteran leadership and reliable perimeter shooting, appearing in 185 regular-season games and helping stabilize the backcourt during a period of roster flux; his contract expired at the end of the 2015–16 season, and he was not retained by the Nuggets.[3][35]Oklahoma City Thunder (2016)
On February 18, 2016, Randy Foye was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for D. J. Augustin, Steve Novak, and two second-round draft picks.[51] The move came at the NBA trade deadline, as the Thunder sought to bolster their backcourt depth amid a competitive Western Conference race.[49] Foye, a 32-year-old veteran shooting guard, brought experience from his prior stint with Denver, where he had served as a reliable perimeter shooter.[3] In his role as a backup to star point guard Russell Westbrook, Foye provided off-the-bench scoring and playmaking during the remainder of the 2015–16 regular season.[52] He appeared in 27 games for Oklahoma City, averaging 21.2 minutes, 5.6 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game while shooting 34.9% from the field and 30.9% from three-point range.[3] His contributions helped stabilize the Thunder's rotation as they finished with a 55–27 record and secured the second seed in the Western Conference.[52] Foye continued to see limited action in the playoffs, where the Thunder advanced to the Western Conference Finals before falling to the Golden State Warriors in seven games. Over 16 postseason games, he averaged 11.9 minutes and 2.5 points per game, primarily as a spot-up shooter in mop-up duty.[53] Following the season, Foye became an unrestricted free agent and departed Oklahoma City.[3]Brooklyn Nets (2016–2017)
On July 15, 2016, the Brooklyn Nets signed free agent guard Randy Foye to a one-year, $2.5 million contract, adding a veteran presence to their rebuilding roster. Foye, a Newark native who had been traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in February 2016 before becoming a free agent, returned to his home state to provide backcourt stability for a young team under first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson. He missed the first six games of the season due to a right hamstring strain but quickly integrated into the rotation upon his debut on November 5 against the Boston Celtics.[54][35][55] Throughout the 2016–17 season, Foye appeared in 69 games for the Nets, starting 40 due to injuries to primary guards like Jeremy Lin and Donald Sloan, and averaged 5.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 18.6 minutes per game. As a reliable combo guard, he contributed to the team's up-tempo style, shooting 33.0 percent from three-point range on 2.9 attempts per game and offering mentorship to younger players such as Isaiah Whitehead and D'Angelo Russell. One of his standout moments came on December 26, 2016, when he hit a game-winning buzzer-beater three-pointer to secure a 120–118 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, helping snap an eight-game losing streak. Foye's steady play bolstered the Nets' backcourt depth during a transitional year marked by roster flux and defensive struggles.[3][56] The Nets finished the season with a 20–62 record, the worst in the Eastern Conference, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive year. However, Atkinson's emphasis on player development and increased pace—averaging 99.5 possessions per game, among the league's highest—laid foundational improvements, with young talent showing growth despite the losses. Foye's experience helped stabilize the guard rotation amid 14 different players starting at point guard over the season.[57] Foye's contract expired at the end of the season, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2017. He briefly participated in the Nets' Las Vegas Summer League roster that July, serving as a veteran mentor before stepping away from NBA action.[58][59] Following the 2016–17 season, Foye retired from professional basketball.[3]NBA career statistics
Regular season
Randy Foye played in 752 regular season games over 11 NBA seasons, accumulating career totals of 7,729 points, 1,686 rebounds, and 2,112 assists while shooting 40.1% from the field and 36.6% from three-point range across 19,251 minutes. His per-game averages were 10.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, with a free-throw percentage of 85.2%.[3][39] The following table details his regular season per-game statistics by season:| Season | Team | G | MP | FG% | 3P% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-07 | MIN | 82 | 22.9 | .434 | .368 | .854 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 10.1 |
| 2007-08 | MIN | 39 | 32.3 | .429 | .412 | .815 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 13.1 |
| 2008-09 | MIN | 70 | 35.6 | .407 | .360 | .846 | 3.1 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 16.3 |
| 2009-10 | WAS | 70 | 23.8 | .414 | .346 | .890 | 1.9 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 10.1 |
| 2010-11 | LAC | 63 | 24.6 | .388 | .327 | .893 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 9.8 |
| 2011-12 | LAC | 65 | 25.9 | .398 | .386 | .859 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 11.0 |
| 2012-13 | UTA | 82 | 27.4 | .397 | .410 | .819 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 10.8 |
| 2013-14 | DEN | 81 | 30.7 | .413 | .380 | .849 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 13.2 |
| 2014-15 | DEN | 50 | 21.7 | .368 | .357 | .818 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 8.7 |
| 2015-16 | DEN/OKC | 81 | 20.3 | .351 | .300 | .824 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 5.9 |
| 2016-17 | BRK | 69 | 18.6 | .363 | .330 | .857 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 5.2 |
| Career | 752 | 25.6 | .401 | .366 | .852 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 10.3 |
Playoffs
Randy Foye appeared in the NBA playoffs during two postseasons, playing a total of 27 games across five series.[3] His career playoff averages were 4.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 17.8 minutes, with shooting percentages of 37.3% from the field and 38.6% from three-point range.[3] Foye's most significant playoff contributions came during the 2011–12 season with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he started all 11 games and averaged 7.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 26.5 minutes per game.[3] In the 2015–16 postseason with the Oklahoma City Thunder, his role diminished to a bench player, appearing in 16 games with averages of 2.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 11.9 minutes.[3]2011–12 Playoffs: Los Angeles Clippers
In the Western Conference First Round against the Memphis Grizzlies, which the Clippers won 4–3, Foye averaged 7.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 26.4 minutes across seven games, shooting 37.3% from the field and 37.5% from three.[60]| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 7 |
| Minutes Per Game | 26.4 |
| Points Per Game | 7.7 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 2.3 |
| Assists Per Game | 1.9 |
| Field Goal % | .373 |
| Three-Point % | .375 |
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 4 |
| Minutes Per Game | 26.5 |
| Points Per Game | 7.3 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 1.5 |
| Assists Per Game | 1.0 |
| Field Goal % | .435 |
| Three-Point % | .625 |
2015–16 Playoffs: Oklahoma City Thunder
Foye's minutes were limited in the Thunder's Western Conference First Round victory over the Dallas Mavericks (4–1), where he played five games off the bench, averaging 2.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 12.2 minutes, with poor efficiency at 20.0% from the field and 30.0% from three.[62]| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 5 |
| Minutes Per Game | 12.2 |
| Points Per Game | 2.2 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 2.2 |
| Assists Per Game | 1.4 |
| Field Goal % | .200 |
| Three-Point % | .300 |
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 4 |
| Minutes Per Game | 11.0 |
| Points Per Game | 3.8 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 1.0 |
| Assists Per Game | 0.8 |
| Field Goal % | .429 |
| Three-Point % | .300 |
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 7 |
| Minutes Per Game | 12.1 |
| Points Per Game | 2.0 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 0.7 |
| Assists Per Game | 0.4 |
| Field Goal % | .417 |
| Three-Point % | .333 |