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Jamal Crawford #11 | |
| Position: | Guard | |
| Height: | 6'5" | |
| Weight: | 180 lbs. | |
| Born: | March 20, 1980 | |
| Status: | Active | |
| NBA Experience: | 9 seasons | |
Professional basketball has long been a way for athletes to make their dreams come true, both on and off the court. Going into his 10th season in the NBA, Jamal Crawford has come to realize that while making things happen on the floor pays the bills, it's just as meaningful to him to have an impact away from it as well.
"I always wanted to be an NBA player,” said Crawford. “That was my dream. But I knew that beyond that, I also wanted was to give back once I achieved that goal. Growing up, I always looked up to the athletes who did that, the guys that made a difference in people’s lives.”
Ever since making his entrance into the NBA as the 8th pick of the 2000 NBA Draft (taken by Cleveland, he was immediately shipped to Chicago in exchange for Chris Mihm), Crawford has made it a priority to do just that, giving back to the people and the communities that allowed him to chase his dream.
Through the Jamal Crawford Foundation, Crawford has managed to make a huge difference at every stop on his winding journey through the NBA, in cities like Chicago, New York, and the San Francisco bay area.
"I’ve been able to do a lot of different things," said Crawford, scrolling through a mental list of his charitable contributions. “I helped put in a library at a school in New York - I got to be principle for a day for that. I do a Christmas Giving Tree every year, giving gifts to underprivileged kids, plus I do my camps all summer.”
Crawford has especially made an impact in his hometown of Seattle, where he donated a basketball court to his alma mater Rainier Beach High School.
“I’ve been raising money lately,” said Crawford. “We are trying to get athletic trainers for all the Seattle-area public schools. I took it a step further and we were able to get defibrillators for the schools as well – hopefully they’ll never have to use them, but if they do we’ll be prepared.”
With things going so well away from basketball, Crawford continues to work on his legacy on the court, and after an offseason trade to the Atlanta Hawks, he appears likely to do just that in 2009-10.
"I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot individually in my career," says Crawford. “The one thing I haven’t really done yet is win, and I think I have a real shot to do that here in Atlanta.”
Anything can happen in an NBA season and nothing is guaranteed - but coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, the Hawks do appear to be a good bet to help Jamal make the postseason for the first time in his career. Armed with depth and talent at every spot on the floor and infused with the talents of newcomers like Crawford and rookie point guard Jeff Teague, Atlanta appears ready to challenge for supremacy in a loaded Eastern Conference.
"We have a good team," says Crawford. “I’m very excited. This is the most excited I’ve been coming into a season in my career. These guys have been together for four or five years, and they’ve grown together. I love the stability here, and I think I’ll be able to fit right in.”
No matter what happens this season, Crawford is at peace with where he is in life.
"I'm happy to be in Atlanta," says Crawford. “I feel like it’s a blessing that I got traded here. My son is here, so I am excited to get to spend more time with him. Plus I know a lot of the guys on the team. Marvin Williams is from Seattle. Randolph Morris and I played together in New York. Al Horford and I have the same agent. I’ve known Hawks GM Rick Sund since I was in high school and used to go play with the Sonics. Even the strength and conditioning coach, Chattin Hill, I worked with when he was at Washington. So there is a lot of comfort here for me.”
 October 2009
November 2009
December 2009
January 2010
February 2010
March 2010
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