Crawford, a Section 9, Class AA All-League selection last season, has been offered a scholarship by the University of Vermont out of the America East conference.
Crawford has not made his mind up about where he wants to play yet, but says Vermont has impressed him. “They were pretty successful last year, losing to North Carolina in the tournament. It’s a big university”, Crawford said in a recent interview with Upstate Scouting.
At 6’7’’ Crawford has impressed scouts with his ability to shoot the ball for a big man. Crawford’s inside-outside game has been his best weapon at the High School level. In college however, he sees himself moving exclusively out to the wing. “I see myself playing the two or three at the college level, maybe even a four
that can stretch the floor. When I was talking to Vermont, he (Vermont Coach John Becker) said he’d probably have me at the two or three.”
Crawford admits making the transition to a permanent wing player will require work on his end. “If I’m gonna play the perimeter in college I’ll need to improve my ball handling. It’s decent now but it can always get better. Also shooting off the dribble, and rebounding. Im a decent rebounder now, but it’s going to be harder going against bigger guys in college.”
Along with his shooting and scoring ability, Crawford sees his leadership as being one of his top attributes, but says that he is looking to even further increase that role in the upcoming season. “I was the team leader last year, but I’d like to become even more of a leader next year”, said Crawford. “I play hard no matter where I’m playing or who I’m playing against. I want to help the guys on my team get better too, instead of it being just all about me.”
Crawford credits his parents, as well as some former coaches for helping him get to where he is today, a future Division I basketball player. “My mom and dad have definitely been my biggest influences”, said Crawford. “They drive me everywhere, take me out to tournaments, and every game. My dad is my biggest fan. As far as coaches, I give a lot of credit to my AAU coach Bob Rahn for taking me places and making me a better player, as well as coach William Thom and coach Lou Demelo, I probably had my best improvement with them playing for the East Coast Panthers.”
Crawford also had the unique privilege while playing with the Panthers to be coached in practice by former Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks Head Coach Mike D’Antoni, who’s son Michael was a teammate of Crawford’s. “AtW first it was surreal I didn’t believe it but once it got going it was really cool you had to think a lot and play hard, but to say you got coached by a guy like Mike D’Antoni is always gonna be cool, it was a fun practice.”
With still one more year remaining with Valley Central, Crawford has his sites set on leaving his impact on Section 9 before moving on to college. “I’d like to maybe even go for Section 9 Player of the Year. I like to aim high with my goals, so that’d be a cool thing to accomplish my senior year. I definitely want to get back into the Section 9 championship game, I know Valley Central hasn’t been there in a while. But, hopefully I can do that, and help my team do that.”
Crawford can be seen this summer playing for the BCANY’s Section 9 team in the Basketball Coaches Association of New York’s Summer Hoops Festival where he will play along side former featured Upstate Scouting prospects Zach and Tyler Lydon of Pine Plains.
Upstate thanks Calvin Crawford for answering our questions and wishes him the best of luck in his senior year and beyond.
Ross Bentley, Staff writer
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