The moment left Julius Randle giddy, prompting the Lakers forward to set an alarm early on Monday morning so he could have a head start on a potentially big day. The excitement seemed so overwhelming that Randle woke even before his alarm rang.

This adrenaline rush all pointed toward the Lakers beginning their summer league practices before they play in Las Vegas beginning on Friday. Such episodes may hardly compare to the feeling Randle had when the Lakers selected him seventh overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. It likely does not match the build up leading into Randle making his NBA regular-season debut nearly nine months ago. But considering that night also coincided with Randle experiencing a season-ending injury with a fractured right tibia, his participation in Monday’s summer league practice meant something both tangible and symbolic.

After spending recent weeks completing full-court five-on-five drills, Randle’s participated on Monday in his first organized practice. After spending nearly the whole year off the court, Randle emerged from the sidelines feeling more comfortable about his conditioning, jump shot and versatility than when he entered training camp last year huffing and puffing his way through conditioning drills.

“I definitely felt a lot better,” Randle said. “I could get through it a lot better than I was last time. I’m more mentally prepared and physically prepared than I was last year.”

Randle then had graded himself a “C,” believing the lack of training stemmed from a contract delay and rehab surrounding his right foot slowed his progress. But Randle also followed through on the Lakers’ insistence, led by strength and conditioning coach Tim DiFrancesco, to cut out sweets in place of grass-fed food. Randle reported those efforts ensured that he lost 15 pounds in fat, resulting in a slimmed down and chiseled frame that can adapt both to Byron Scott’s conditioning-heavy practices and actual games.

“The credit goes to my coaches for staying on me and not letting this down time being injured be a step in the wrong direction,” Randle said. “I’m taking advantage of it the most that I could. It’s also me with my drive and will and people supporting me. The credit goes to all of them.”

The Lakers sounded eager to credit Randle.

Lakers rookie guard D’Angelo Russell called Randle a “beast” for his physical presence and quick reaction to his unexpected passes. Lakers rookie forward Larry Nance Jr. described Randle as a “strong dude,” before gushing how he encouraged teammates to complete drills with full hustle, knowing that a break will come soon. Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson likened Randle to a “monster with the ball,” because of his emerging jump shot and versatility.

After spending most of the offseason intently studying film and tweaking the form on his jump shot, the Lakers believe Randle can create nightmares for opponents.

“He’s a stretch four now and can shoot it,” Clarkson said of Randle. “When he gets the ball off the rim, he’s pushing it as well too. It will open up a lot of things in terms of that. He can iso guys on the post. When you throw it in there, most times he’s getting the buckets. It will open up the game a lot for us.”

How that will happen could become a debate next season.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak recently compared Randle to Lamar Odom because both players could fulfill so many job descriptions. Need a post presence? They will provide it. Need a playmaker? They will do that, too. Need a mid-range jump shooter. They will gladly help with that. But Kupchak also noted Randle’s play and Scott’s vision will determine which category Randle fits the most.

“I’m a basketball player. I feel like I can play all over the court,” Randle said. “The biggest thing in our offense and some of the stuff with what we do, the 3’s and the 4’s do the same thing. So I’m not really worried about it. At the end of the day, it’s a game I’ve been playing my whole life.”

Well, with exception to perhaps last year.

The immediate and long-term injury prevented Julius Randle from experiencing an NBA rookie season that would have featured progressive growth.

He could not discover how the grind of an 82-game NBA season tests his strength, conditioning and durability. Randle could not see how his bruising presence in his lone season at the University of Kentucky would translate among more physical and talented professionals. He could not witness how his long-time affection for Kobe Bryant’s demanding personality would play out in their on-court chemistry.

But for all the opportunities he missed out on by fracturing his right tibia after playing only 14 minutes in the Lakers’ season-opener of the 2014-15 campaign, Randle ensured his growth by compensating with his diet and off-court study.

“You’ll see when I play,” Randle said. “You can evaluate yourself.”

For now, however, Randle just relished finally making that literal first step from the sidelines and onto the hardwood.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time,” Randle said. “It’s excitement and hunger and anticipation.”

RELATED:

NBA free agency: Lou Williams, Brandon Bass agree to deals with Lakers

Lakers optimistic about Julius Randle playing in Summer League

LaMarcus Aldridge turns down Lakers, who make deal for Pacers’ Hibbert

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com