Ask most casual fans where Julius Randle is from, and they’ll probably point to New York. It makes sense. He spent half a decade revitalizing the Knicks and basically became the face of Madison Square Garden for a while. But if you actually want to know the "where" of Julius Randle, you have to look a lot further south. Specifically, you have to look at the suburbs of Dallas, Texas.
Randle isn't just "from" Texas in the way people are from a place they lived once. He is a product of the hyper-competitive Texas high school basketball scene. Born on November 29, 1994, in Dallas, Julius Deion Randle grew up in a environment that shaped the "bully ball" style he’s famous for today.
The Prestonwood Christian Days
Before he was an All-Star or a Most Improved Player, Randle was a legend in Plano, Texas. He attended Prestonwood Christian Academy, which sounds like a quiet private school, but for basketball, it was a war zone.
Randle wasn't just good; he was terrifying. By his senior year, he was averaging 32.5 points and 22.5 rebounds. Those aren't real numbers. That's a video game. Honestly, seeing a 6'9" kid with that much mobility in a high school gym was enough to make recruiters lose their minds. He led Prestonwood to three state titles in four years.
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You've probably heard of the class of 2013. It was loaded. We’re talking Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, and Aaron Gordon. Even in that group, Randle was a consensus top-five recruit. He chose the University of Kentucky eventually, but the foundation was 100% Lone Star State.
A Single-Mother Household and the Texas Grind
It wasn't all highlights and trophies, though. Julius was raised by his mother, Carolyn Kyles, in a single-parent home. Carolyn was a basketball player herself at the University of Texas at Arlington, so the genes were there. But more than talent, she gave him the work ethic.
She worked in mattress sales to keep the family afloat. Money was tight. Julius has talked about how seeing his mom work so hard made him realize that basketball was his way to provide. That’s where the "resilience" thing comes from. You don't get that "dog" in you by having everything handed to you.
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Why His Origin Matters Now
In late 2024, Randle’s journey took another turn when he was traded from the Knicks to the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was a shocker. But if you look at his history, he’s used to being the "new guy" who has to prove himself.
From Dallas to Lexington, then LA, New Orleans, and NYC—the guy has been all over. Yet, he still keeps those Texas roots close. Just recently in early 2026, news broke that he and his wife, Kendra, bought 60 acres of land to build a massive family estate. While his career is in the North now, his lifestyle and that desire for wide-open space feel very much like the kid from Dallas coming full circle.
Quick Facts on Randle’s Background
- Birthplace: Dallas, Texas.
- High School: Prestonwood Christian Academy (Plano, TX).
- Family: Raised by Carolyn Kyles; has three children (Kyden, Jayce, and Romi) with wife Kendra.
- College: One-and-done at the University of Kentucky.
- Draft: 7th overall pick in 2014 by the Lakers.
The Real Identity of Julius Randle
Basically, Randle is a Dallas kid who conquered the world's biggest stage in New York and is now trying to bring a championship to the Twin Cities. He’s a "lefty" with a mean streak on the court but a massive soft spot for his family off of it.
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If you're following his career today, keep an eye on his efficiency in Minnesota. He’s adapting his game to play alongside Anthony Edwards, which is a big shift from being "The Guy" in New York. But regardless of the jersey, that power-forward frame and relentless motor started on the blacktops and private school gyms of North Texas.
To keep up with his current season, you can track his nightly double-double count on the official NBA stats page or follow his family’s vlogs, which give a surprisingly raw look at what life is actually like for a player moving cities mid-career. Watching how he balances the "Minnesota cold" with his "Texas heat" is going to be the story of the 2026 season.