Jamal Crawford (Part 1)

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13 Mar 2024

Jamal Crawford (Part 1)

Aaron Jamal Crawford, born on March 20, 1980, is an American former professional basketball player renowned for his exceptional ball-handling skills. He enjoyed a successful career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 2000 to 2020, leaving a lasting impact on the league.
Despite never being selected to an All-Star team, Crawford earned recognition as the NBA Sixth Man of the Year on three occasions, a feat he shares with Lou Williams, showcasing his invaluable contribution coming off the bench.

One of Crawford's notable achievements is being the NBA's all-time leader in career four-point plays, demonstrating his ability to convert difficult shots while drawing fouls. On April 9, 2019, he etched his name in NBA history by becoming the oldest player to score over 50 points in a single game, achieving this milestone with his fourth franchise. His 51-point performance not only set a record as the oldest player to reach this feat but also marked the highest scoring output by a reserve player.
Crawford's scoring prowess is evident in his career statistics, as he ranks 21st in NBA history with four 50+ point games, tied with legendary figures like George Mikan and Larry Bird. Additionally, he stands 10th all-time in career three-point field goals made, showcasing his proficiency from beyond the arc.

A testament to his longevity and impact off the bench, Crawford is only the second player in NBA history to surpass 10,000 career points scored as a reserve, highlighting his consistency and scoring ability throughout his career.
Following his retirement from professional basketball, Crawford transitioned to providing commentary on NBA League Pass in 2021, continuing to stay connected to the sport he loves and sharing his insights with fans around the world.

Growing up in Seattle, Jamal Crawford honed his basketball skills at Rainier Beach High School, a renowned institution that has produced numerous NBA and college players. Among the notable alumni are Doug Christie, Nate Robinson, Terrence Williams, Kevin Porter Jr., and Dejounte Murray, all of whom have made significant contributions to the basketball world.
During his time at Rainier Beach, Crawford emerged as a standout player, leading the Vikings to victory in the 1998 Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) State Championship. His exceptional talent and leadership on the court earned him recognition as one of the top high school basketball players in the state of Washington.
In recognition of his achievements and impact on Rainier Beach's basketball program, Crawford's jersey number 23 was retired by the school in 2001, serving as a permanent tribute to his legacy. Additionally, in 2018, Rainier Beach honored Crawford by inducting him into its Hall of Fame, further commemorating his outstanding contributions to the school's basketball tradition.

Jamal Crawford earned a scholarship to the University of Michigan, where he committed to play college basketball for the Wolverines under coach Brian Ellerbe. However, at the beginning of the 1999–2000 season, Crawford faced a setback when he incurred a six-game suspension from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The NCAA retroactively ruled that his living arrangement during high school had violated its bylaws on amateurism.
This ruling was met with protest from the university, but unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful in overturning the decision. Despite the suspension, Crawford eventually joined the Wolverines' starting lineup and made a significant impact on the court. He averaged 16.6 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game during his freshman season.
Following his freshman campaign, Crawford made the decision to declare for the 2000 NBA draft, forgoing the remainder of his college eligibility to pursue a professional basketball career.

Jamal Crawford was selected as the 8th overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, he was quickly traded to the Chicago Bulls in a draft-day deal, which also involved the rights to Chris Mihm.
In his first year with the Bulls during the 2000–01 season, Crawford faced some challenges with his shooting, only converting 35.2 percent from the field. Despite this, he managed to score in double digits in ten games and averaged 4.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game across 61 games, with 8 of those as a starter.
During his second NBA season in 2001–02, Crawford's playing time was limited to 23 games due to injury, with only six starts. However, he showed improvement in almost all statistical categories, averaging 9.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, while also boasting a 44.8 percent shooting percentage from behind the arc.

By his third season with the Bulls in 2002–03, Crawford had become a significant contributor to the team's offense under coach Bill Cartwright. He saw his averages rise to 10.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1 steal per game across 80 games, with 31 starts. Despite his efforts, the Bulls missed the playoffs with a 30–52 record.
In the 2003–04 season, Crawford's fourth and final year with the Bulls, he was promoted to the starting shooting guard position. He showcased his scoring ability by averaging 17.3 points, along with 3.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. One of the highlights of his tenure in Chicago came on April 11, 2004, when he scored 50 points against the Toronto Raptors in one of his last games with the Bulls.
Before the start of the 2004–05 season, Crawford was traded to the New York Knicks along with Jerome Williams, in exchange for Dikembe Mutombo, Othella Harrington, Frank Williams, and Cezary Trybanski.