BearTalk

Among the many folks Jerome Randle has heard from since being named Pac-10 Player of the Year on Monday was his old Cal coach, Ben Braun, now at Rice University in Houston.

“I talked to coach Braun yesterday and I thanked him . . . because obviously I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him.,” Randle said. “He taught me a lot and I just really want to show my appreciation to him for everything he did for me.”

Randle, recruited to Berkeley by Braun, said he planned to call Braun on Monday after practice but received a text message before he got the chance.

“He said, `Congratulations on your honor and all your success,’ ” Randle said. “He’s been reaching out the whole year and I just want to thank him for that.

“He  really doesn’t have to do that — he has his own team to worry about. But he still takes the time to check on his guys because we are his guys.”