Witnesses: Randolph seen in Portland strip club while on leave to attend funeral

Trail Blazer missing three games to attend Saturday service in Indiana

By Kerry Eggers

The Portland Tribune, Mar 23, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (52 Reader comments)

On Monday, the Trail Blazers announced that forward Zach Randolph was being granted a "bereavement leave" to attend the funeral of his girlfriend's cousin in his hometown of Marion, Ind.

On Tuesday night, after Portland's 100-98 victory over the Wizards, Randolph apparently spent time – and money – at a strip club in North Portland.

By multiple accounts, the Blazers' leading scorer and rebounder stiffed the folks at Exotica International Club for Men on Northeast Columbia Boulevard after enjoying libations and entertainment there.

"He didn't pay his tab – $106," said John, a bartender who wasn't working Tuesday night but had the story related to him by others. "He'll make it up to (the waitress), though."

The club manager, Joel (he asked his last name not be used), confirmed the account.

"He was here, just for a minute," the manager said.

What time was Randolph at the club?

"Late," Joel said.

What about Randolph's unpaid bill?

"He just forgot," Joel said. "He'll pay it next time."

Randolph, 25, left the team Monday after learning of the shooting that killed Lamar Cannon, 23, early Sunday morning. Randolph had 16 points and eight rebounds that night in a loss to Seattle. He missed Tuesday's game and Thursday's 92-86 win at New York, and will also not play in tonight's game at Atlanta. He is expected to rejoin the team for Sunday's game at Minnesota.

Portland coach Nate McMillan, reached at his Atlanta hotel, sounded surprised to hear the news of Randolph's whereabouts on Tuesday night.

Cannon's funeral is being held Saturday in Marion. Why, then, was it necessary for Randolph to leave the team on Monday?

"He felt he needed to go," McMillan said. "It's a death in the family ... you get a feel for what you need to do ... I'm not going to get into it any further."

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