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Jamal Crawford #11 | |
| Position: | Guard | |
| Height: | 6'5" | |
| Weight: | 180 lbs. | |
| Born: | March 20, 1980 | |
| Status: | Active | |
| NBA Experience: | 7 seasons | |
One of the NBA’s premier guards, Jamal Crawford serves as captain for one of the league’s signature franchises, the New York Knicks. During his tenure in the Big Apple, Crawford has shown a penchant for the dramatic, becoming the Knicks’ go-to-guy in the clutch. One of the team’s most popular players, he even posted a 52-point performance during the 2006-07 season.
From the first time Jamal picked up a basketball he was hooked on the game. “I never went anywhere without a ball,” Crawford reminisces. “Everyone in my neighborhood talked about how I’d walk dribbling the basketball and even rode my bike while dribbling. It went with me everywhere that I went.”
Crawford played high school ball at Rainer Beach High School alongside future Knicks teammate Nate Robinson. Jamal went on to dominate basketball in the state of Washington, and shortly after he graduated in 1999, his high school retired number 23 in his honor. A few years later, Jamal gave back to his alma mater through the Jamal Crawford Foundation when he donated a $100,000 gymnasium for the students.
After high school, Crawford enrolled at the University of Michigan, following in the footsteps of players he looked up to such as Jalen Rose. Eager to reach the NBA, Jamal spent just one season playing college ball declaring himself eligible for the NBA draft. Still, Crawford wouldn’t trade his year as a Wolverine for anything in the world.
“Michigan was fun,” Jamal says. “It went by quick, but it was fun. I had my own section – the Crawford Crazies! It was nice because when I got there they said how quiet the games were the year before. For me to go all the way out there, I did it for a lot of different reasons. The opportunity to play right away and for a big time university was something I couldn’t pass up. Michigan also has more alumni than any school in the country. It was an experience of a lifetime.”
On June 28th, 2000 Jamal Crawford reached his lifelong goal of reaching the NBA when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him with the eighth overall draft pick. Crawford’s tenure with the Cavs was short-lived, however, as he was immediately dealt to the Chicago Bulls for Chris Mihm.
“I was drafted by Cleveland, and it was weird because I never worked out for them,” Crawford recalls. “I had only talked to them after I was drafted, but there was already a deal that was worked out with me to go for Chicago. All the cameras came at me and I was so happy it was overwhelming. I was ecstatic when I was traded to Chicago. That was the team I wanted to go to at that particular time. Mr. Krause does a great job evaluating talent and developing it, so I was flattered and it meant a lot to me.”
After four seasons in Chicago, where he averaged 10.5 points, Crawford became a free agent prior to the 2004-05 season and was able to choose any team to play for. Jamal’s choice was clear…he wanted be a New York Knickerbocker. And the Knicks were more than eager to welcome him aboard. On August 5th, 2004, Crawford was acquired along with Jerome Williams in a sign-and-trade exchange for Othella Harrington, Frank Williams, Dikembe Mutombo and Cezary Trybanski.
“Coming to New York was the biggest rush,” reflects Crawford. “When you are drafted, somebody selects you but as a free agent, you choose where you want to go and we were able to work out a sign and trade. At 12:01, Isiah Thomas was the first person to call me as soon as I became a free agent. And it was so weird because before my rookie year, I hadn’t really done anything but play at draft camp for three hours a day, and Isiah came up to me and told me how much he liked my game. Then, there he was a few years later, the first person to call the second I am a free agent. That meant a lot to me too.”
Actually, it meant more to Jamal than most might realize, as Isiah Thomas is not only Crawford’s coach, but was his basketball idol growing up. In fact, Jamal dons number 11 to honor Thomas.
“Isiah has been the biggest mentor in my professional career. I see him every day, and he still is one of my three favorite basketball players of all time, so to learn from one of your heroes is special.”
Prior to the 2007-08 season, Crawford earned the nickname “the Closer” for his penchant of hitting big shots at big moments late in games. It is a role and moniker he relishes.
“I love that nickname. It’s cool and shows the confidence the team has in me with the game on the line. When people have confidence in you and you come through, there is nothing better. And I love coming through for the fans.”
Even though Jamal Crawford has dominated the league in recent years, as his 52 points in a single game dictates, he still believes he’s yet to achieve all he can, as he has yet to reach the postseason.
“I’ve yet to have my professional highlight. I just want to win. When I get to the playoffs and start to win, then the highlights will start coming.”
Still, one of the biggest highlights for Crawford has been playing at Madison Square Garden: The World’s Most Famous Arena. “There is no greater rush than playing at Madison Square Garden,” he says. “You see all your favorite celebrities, the people whose movies you see, concerts you go to, there they are all looking at you and rooting you on, so that is special.”
So what has Crawford learned over the course of not only his NBA career, but his lifelong love affair with the game? “Basketball has taught me a lot about life. It’s taught me about respect. If you respect the game, it will be good to you. You respect people. Basketball is not an individual sport. You are only as strong as your weakest link. You have to depend on your teammates, and with that, you have to trust, so I’ve learned to trust people more. That’s important.”
 October 2007
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