There, he ran up the steps and struck the famous Sylvester Stallone pose from the movie, "Rocky."

"That movie's always been my inspiration," said Randolph, who has seen it so many times he has lost count. "At the top of the steps, my dad took a picture of me that I keep on my cell phone all the time. It's my reminder to keep working."

That strategy is working famously for the 6-foot-10 athlete from Raleigh.

Randolph was written off by almost everyone when he left Duke after his junior season and announced for the NBA Draft. He wasn't drafted and was invited to camp with the Philadelphia 76ers.

But Randolph, 22, has done more than stick. He has developed into an important player and ranks second in the NBA in rebounds per 48 minutes played at 17.9. He has played in 12 of the 76ers' 26 games and averages 3.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in 10.1 minutes a game.

The 76ers' fans are enthralled. They chant, "Rocky! Rocky!" when Randolph enters the game. He has been nicknamed "Mr. Energy."

The team's veterans tease him about his popularity and relentless playing style, but Randolph, who played high school basketball at Broughton, has become a hit with his teammates, too. Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks and stars Allen Iverson and Chris Webber have bragged on Randolph's value.

Randolph said Webber "has been great."

"I have to carry his bags and stuff around a lot as part of the rookie process, but Chris looks after me," Randolph said. "He basically bought me a full supply of clothes, all these suits and shirts and ties. I mean, it's a year's worth of things to wear. He told me my wardrobe needed some help."

These are custom-cut, tailor-made outfits, you understand. Folks as big as Webber and Randolph just don't find their sizes on the racks.

Inside Duke's locker room, Randolph's success is no surprise.

"Shav has one of the best one-on-one games I've seen," Duke senior forward Shelden Williams said. "It was just a matter of time and getting healthy. For his size, the things he can do have always been amazing to me."

Duke associate head coach Johnny Dawkins said Wednesday that the staff is delighted with Randolph's accomplishments.

"We're all pulling for him and keeping up with him," Dawkins said. "It's just great the way he's playing."

Randolph rarely starred at Duke. He was injured extensively and often hampered by foul trouble when healthy.

The health problems popped up again early in training camp with the 76ers. During a team practice at Duke, he suffered a slight bone fracture in his left foot and was forced to sit out several weeks.

"I was a little concerned when it happened," Randolph said. "But I'd had a good summer in my workouts. The coaches had given me a lot of encouragement, so I still thought I had a decent chance to make the roster."

Once he got back into shape, Randolph blossomed.

In 15 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks on Dec. 14, he had 12 rebounds, seven offensive. Two days later against the Miami Heat, he had 10 rebounds and eight points in 19 minutes. In a win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, he had eight points and five rebounds in 20 minutes.

"It's my lifelong dream come true," Randolph said. "I wake up every morning and tell myself that it's really true and it's really happening. It seems like a dream, but it's real. I'm so happy and so thankful."

But what happened? How did the guy who averaged 4.4 points and 4.3 rebounds as a junior adapt so quickly to the NBA?

Much of it goes to desire. Randolph always has been more motivated than most players. Even when he struggled, he continued to hustle. That old-school work ethic is paying dividends in a league in which many players depend on talent alone.

But Randolph also is quick to acknowledge that his game expanded and improved in areas other than scoring at Duke.

"I've said all along that my decision was completely personal. There wasn't a feud with the coaches or my teammates or anything at all like that," he said. "A big part of my heart is still there with the Duke program and always will be.

"Trying the NBA was just something I was determined to do. I know it sounds strange, but I was confident I could make it somehow, some way."

It turns out that Randolph has made it the best way. The Rocky way. He has whipped long odds and knocked out any lingering doubters.