Jae Crowder

Corey Jae Crowder (born July 6, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is the son of former NBA player Corey Crowder.

Jae Crowder
Crowder with the Utah Jazz in 2018
No. 99 Phoenix Suns
PositionSmall forward / Power forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1990-07-06) July 6, 1990
Villa Rica, Georgia
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolVilla Rica High School (Villa Rica, Georgia)
College
NBA draft2012 / Round: 2 / Pick: 34th overall
Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Playing career2012–present
Career history
20122014Dallas Mavericks
2014Texas Legends
20142017Boston Celtics
2017–2018Cleveland Cavaliers
20182019Utah Jazz
2019–2020Memphis Grizzlies
2020Miami Heat
2020–presentPhoenix Suns
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Not being heavily recruited out of high school, Crowder committed to South Georgia Technical College and later Howard College, where he led the team to an NJCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship in his sophomore season. While at Howard College, Crowder was also named State Farm Junior College Player of the Year. Later, he transferred to Marquette, where he was named Big East Player of the Year in his senior season. After his senior year ended, he became eligible for the 2012 NBA draft, where he was drafted 34th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers and traded to the Dallas Mavericks on draft night. In 2014, Crowder was traded to the Boston Celtics. He spent three years in Boston before being traded back to his draft team, the Cavaliers, in August 2017. In 2018, he was traded to the Utah Jazz and he has also played for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Early life and high school career

Jae Crowder was born on July 6, 1990, in Villa Rica, Georgia, to Helen Thompson and basketball player Corey Crowder. Crowder attended Villa Rica High School, where he played as starting quarterback for the football team and as starting point guard for the basketball team. Crowder spent the summer holidays in Florida, working out and training with his father, then a professional basketball player, with 2 years experience in the NBA playing in Europe. Growing up, he was undersized and overweight, weighing nearly 200 pounds in his junior year. Eventually, he called his father to help him lose weight. By the end of his junior year, he had grown to 6'4" and had significantly improved his physical conditioning.[1]

College career

Crowder was not heavily recruited out of high school, although he had some offers in football. He committed to South Georgia Technical College, a college in Americus, Georgia. He later transferred to Howard College for his sophomore season. After his junior college eligibility ended, he transferred to Marquette.[1]

South Georgia Tech

In his only season with South Georgia Tech, he led the Jets to their first-ever NJCAA national tournament appearance in his freshman season, under head coach Steven Wright, with the team finishing with a 21–7 record.[2] He was named Georgia Junior College Athletic Association Player of the Year that season.[3]

Howard College

In his sophomore season with the Howard Hawks in 2010, Crowder was not only named Junior College Player of the Year but also helped the team win its first-ever NJCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. In the final game he registered 27 points and 12 rebounds in an 85–80 overtime victory against Three Rivers Community College. He averaged 18.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.4 steals per game as a sophomore while shooting 46.0 percent from the field and 76.0 percent from the free throw line.[2]

Marquette

After his season with the Howard Hawks, Crowder transferred to Marquette University, selecting the Golden Eagles over UNLV, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech and Illinois State, among others.[3] He averaged 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in his first season with Marquette.[4] Some basketball statisticians believe Crowder was statistically the best all-around player during the 2010–11 season.[5] On January 1, 2011, Crowder recorded a career-high 29 points and 8 rebounds in a game against the West Virginia Mountaineers.[6] On March 30, 2012, Crowder was named East Perfect Player of the Game in the Reese's College All-Star Game.[7]

For the 2011–2012 season, Crowder averaged 17.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.[2][4] Crowder led Marquette to a second-place finish in the Big East, as well as their second consecutive Sweet 16. During the same season, he was named Big East Player of the Year, as well as an AP Second-Team All American.[2]

College Awards & Honors

Professional career

NBA draft

After finishing his college career, Jae Crowder decided to enter the 2012 NBA draft, where he was projected to be a second round draft pick.[8] Crowder was taken 34th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers; however, a draft night-trade with the Mavericks sent him to Dallas, along with 24th overall pick Jared Cunningham and 33rd overall pick Bernard James, in exchange for 17th overall pick Tyler Zeller and Kelenna Azubuike.[9][10] He was officially signed on July 20, 2012 on a non-guaranteed two-year contract, like all second round draft picks.[11] His Marquette teammate Darius Johnson-Odom was also drafted with the 55th overall pick.[9]

Rookie season

Due to his strong showing in NBA Summer League and preseason games, he was described as "the steal of the NBA draft",[12] averaging 11.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.6 assists and 0.8 blocks in 22 minutes per game in the preseason[13] and 16.6 points, 1.6 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 2.0 steals and 41.7 percent shooting in Summer League, where he was also voted into the All-Summer League team.[14] This strong showing raised expectations in the young player, as he was viewed as possibly the Mavericks' new franchise player and possibly a future All-Star.[15][16]

His stellar play earned him a spot in coach Rick Carlisle's rotation.[17] He debuted in the season-opening win against the Los Angeles Lakers. After Dirk Nowitzki missed most of the early season with an arthroscopic knee surgery and starting small forward Shawn Marion was also injured, Crowder became the team's starting small forward. With Marion and Nowitzki's returns, Crowder's minutes decreased. His contribution started to dwindle a bit starting around the all-star break, when he admitted that he hit the "rookie wall".[18] The Mavericks were never able to recover from Nowitzki's injury and missed the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, with Crowder averaging 5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in 17.3 minutes.

2013–14 season

On November 5, 2013, Crowder scored a then career-high 18 points in a 123–104 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[19] On February 27, 2014, Crowder was assigned to the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League.[20] He was recalled by the Mavericks on February 28, reassigned on March 1,[21] and recalled again on March 2.

2014–15 season

On June 10, 2014, the Mavericks exercised their team option on Crowder's contract.[22] With the offseason additions of forwards Al-Farouq Aminu and Richard Jefferson, Crowder's minutes subsequently dropped to start the 2014–15 season, falling out of coach Rick Carlisle's frontcourt rotation.[23] On November 9, 2014, he scored a season-high 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting in a 105–96 loss to the Miami Heat.[24]

Boston Celtics (2014–2017)

Crowder with the Celtics in May 2017

On December 18, 2014, Crowder was traded, along with Jameer Nelson, Brandan Wright, a 2015 first-round pick, a 2016 second-round pick and a $12.9 million trade exception, to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Rajon Rondo and Dwight Powell.[25] On January 12, 2015, he scored a then career-high 22 points in a 108–100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.[26] On April 14, 2015, he hit an off-balance fall-away two-point shot from deep on the right wing with 0.8 seconds left, lifting Boston to a 95–93 win over the Toronto Raptors.[27][28] After averaging just 3.6 points in 10.6 minutes per game with Dallas to start the 2014–15 season, Crowder became an important role player for the Celtics in Brad Stevens' rotation, and subsequently lifted his averages to 9.5 points in 24.2 minutes per game.

On July 27, 2015, Crowder re-signed with the Celtics to a reported five-year, $35 million contract.[29][30] On December 18, 2015, he scored a career-high 24 points in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks.[31] He topped that mark on January 4, 2016, scoring 25 points in a 103–94 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[32] On January 13, he tied his career high of 25 points in a 103–94 win over the Indiana Pacers.[33] On March 14, he was ruled out for two weeks with a right ankle sprain.[34] He returned to action on March 31 against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing eight games.[35]

In the Celtics' season opener on October 26, 2016, Crowder scored 21 points in a 122–117 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[36] He appeared in the team's first four games of the season, but then missed eight straight games with a sprained left ankle.[37] He returned to action on November 19, scoring nine points in a 94–92 win over the Detroit Pistons.[38] On March 17, 2017, he recorded season highs with 24 points and 12 rebounds in a 98–95 win over Brooklyn.[39] On March 26, 2017, he set a new season high with 25 points in a 112–108 win over the Miami Heat.[40] In Game 1 of the Celtics' Eastern Conference semifinal match-up with the Washington Wizards, Crowder scored a playoff career-high 24 points, helping the Celtics win 123–111.[41]

Cleveland Cavaliers (2017–2018)

On August 22, 2017, Crowder was traded, along with Isaiah Thomas, Ante Žižić and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 unprotected first round pick, to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Kyrie Irving.[42] Eight days later, the Celtics agreed to send the Cavaliers a 2020 second-round draft pick via the Miami Heat to complete the trade.[43] On November 20, 2017, Crowder scored a season-high 18 points against the Detroit Pistons.[44]

Utah Jazz (2018–2019)

On February 8, 2018, Crowder was acquired by the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade that also involved the Cavaliers and the Sacramento Kings.[45] In his debut for the Jazz three days later, Crowder scored 15 points in a 115–96 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.[46] On March 9, 2018, he scored a season-high 22 points in a 95–78 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.[47] In Game 5 of the Jazz's first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Crowder scored a career playoff-high 27 points in a 107–99 loss.[48]

On January 1, 2019, Crowder scored a career-high 30 points in a 122–116 loss to the Toronto Raptors.[49]

Memphis Grizzlies (2019–2020)

On July 6, 2019, the Memphis Grizzlies acquired Crowder from the Jazz as part of a package for Mike Conley Jr.[50] On October 27, Crowder hit the game-winning buzzer beating three-pointer to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 134–133 in overtime.[51]

Miami Heat (2020)

On February 6, 2020, Crowder was traded to the Miami Heat in a 3-team trade.[52] This reunited Crowder with his former college teammate Jimmy Butler. Crowder helped the Heat reach the 2020 NBA Finals, but lost in 6 games to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Phoenix Suns (2020–present)

On November 28, 2020, Crowder signed with the Phoenix Suns.[53]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2012–13 Dallas 781617.3.384.328.6442.41.2.8.25.0
2013–14 Dallas 78816.1.439.331.7542.5.8.8.34.6
2014–15 Dallas 25010.6.434.342.9091.2.5.6.23.6
Boston 571724.2.418.282.7624.61.41.0.49.5
2015–16 Boston 737331.6.443.336.8205.11.81.7.514.2
2016–17 Boston 727232.4.463.398.8115.82.21.0.313.9
2017–18 Cleveland 534725.4.418.328.8483.31.1.8.28.6
Utah 27027.6.386.316.7683.81.5.9.311.8
2018–19 Utah 801127.1.399.331.7214.81.7.8.411.9
2019–20 Memphis 454529.4.368.293.7896.22.81.0.39.9
Miami 20827.7.482.445.7335.41.81.3.511.9
Career 60829724.7.421.340.7784.11.51.0.39.6

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014 Dallas 7011.6.444.429.0001.7.3.3.12.7
2015 Boston 4125.0.517.300.7695.02.01.0.810.8
2016 Boston 6632.8.278.244.6366.52.21.5.59.5
2017 Boston 181833.1.435.352.8336.42.71.1.313.6
2018 Utah 11229.4.324.333.6435.11.71.4.210.0
2019 Utah 5326.0.370.300.7375.8.81.0.010.0
2020 Miami 212131.4.403.342.7615.61.9.7.612.0
Career 725129.0.390.330.7525.41.8.9.410.9

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Texas 2243.5.439.143.66716.010.03.52.022.5
Career 2243.5.439.143.66716.010.03.52.022.5

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010–11 Marquette 371727.6.485.359.6166.81.61.3.911.8
2011–12 Marquette 353532.9.498.345.7358.42.12.51.017.5
Career 725230.2.492.350.6837.61.81.9.914.6

Player profile

Crowder is known for his good all around-play and his positional flexibility. He is a rugged defender with a strong, muscular stature and a good rebounder. He has a good three point shot and postplay, as well as being solid from long range, averaging .498 from the field and .345 from the three-point line in his senior season at Marquette.[8] Crowder has a tremendous work ethic, growing from a chubby kid into a muscular player, training with intense will and commitment to improve his skills.[1] Rick Carlisle compared him to Tayshaun Prince, whom he coached while with the Detroit Pistons, stating: "Jae just has a maturity beyond his years. He’s got a natural motor and a natural, real, pure basketball energy. He’s the kind of guy who would fit in on any team."[18]

Personal life

Crowder's father, Corey, played in the NBA for the Utah Jazz and the San Antonio Spurs and had a 14-year professional basketball career, mostly playing in Europe.[54] Crowder has seven siblings.[1] He majored in communication studies at Marquette's Diederich College of Communication.

Jae’s mother Helen Thompson died of cancer in August 2017. She died the same night he was traded to Cleveland from Boston. At his introductory press conference in Cleveland, he said, "The good thing about the whole ordeal was I was able to whisper it to my mom before she passed. I was with her. I just told her, 'We're going to Cleveland.' Five minutes later, she passed."[55]

See also

References

  1. "Out of the Shadows ... of thy Father: Jae's hardcourt journey of dreams". Times Georgian. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  2. "Jae Crowder Profile". Marquette University Official Athletic Site. Marquette University. Archived from the original on September 5, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  3. "Marquette Lands Jae Crowder". Marquettehoops.com. Marquette University. February 3, 2010. Archived from the original on March 11, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  4. "Individual Career History – Crowder, Jae" (PDF). cstv.com. CBS Sports. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  5. Miller, Mike (July 19, 2011). "Marquette may have the nation's best all-around player". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  6. "Crowder comes out of nowhere to lead Marquette". Chicago Tribune. January 6, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  7. Leddy, Rick (March 30, 2012). "MARQUETTE'S CROWDER LEADS EAST ALL-STARS TO WIN IN REESE'S COLLEGE ALL-STAR GAME". nabc.org. NABC. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  8. "Prospect Profile: Jae Crowder". NBA. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  9. ESPN.com news services. "Mavericks, Cavaliers trade picks". ESPN. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  10. Enlund, Tom (June 29, 2012). "Mavericks like Crowder's 'motor'". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  11. "Mavericks sign rookie Jae Crowder". ESPN. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  12. "Dallas Mavericks: Why Jae Crowder Will Be the Steal of the NBA Draft". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  13. "Jae Crowder proving Mark Cuban's computer right". ESPN. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  14. "Jae Crowder, F Dallas Mavericks". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  15. "Jae Crowder Keeps It Close For The Dallas Mavericks In Oklahoma". rantsports.com. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  16. "Jae Crowder Could Be The Next Face Of The Dallas Mavericks". rantsports.com. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  17. "Rookie Jae Crowder getting ready to replace Shawn Marion". ESPN. November 6, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  18. "Jae Crowder, a rare Maverick draft find, wants to be in Dallas for life". Dallas Morning News. January 22, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  19. "Notebook: Mavericks 123, Lakers 104". Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  20. "MAVERICKS ASSIGN CROWDER, JAMES AND LARKIN TO TEXAS LEGENDS". Archived from the original on April 18, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  21. "Mavericks re-assign Jae Crowder and Shane Larkin to D-League". Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  22. Scarito, Eddie (June 12, 2014). "Mavs Exercise Team Option On Jae Crowder". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  23. Webster, Danny (December 9, 2014). "Dallas Mavericks: Jae Crowder Needs More Minutes, but He's Being Held Back". HoopsHabit.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  24. "Jae Crowder 2014-15 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  25. "Boston Celtics Complete Trade With Dallas Mavericks". NBA.com. December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  26. "Sullinger, Smart lead Celtics to 108-100 win over Pelicans". NBA.com. January 12, 2015. Archived from the original on January 23, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  27. "Crowder's long fall-away lifts Celtics over Raptors, 95-93". NBA.com. April 14, 2015. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  28. "Jae Crowder Sinks Game-Winner with 0.8 Seconds!". YouTube.com. April 14, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  29. "Boston Celtics Re-Sign Jae Crowder". NBA.com. July 27, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  30. Reports: Jae Crowder returning to Celtics for five years, $35 million
  31. "Millsap scores 15 in 4th quarter, Hawks rally past Celtics". Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  32. "Crowder's career-high 25 lead Celtics over Nets, 103-94". Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  33. "Thomas, Celtics snap 4-game skid with 103-94 win over Pacers". Archived from the original on March 18, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  34. Celtics Anticipate Difficult Stretch Without Crowder
  35. "Aminu leads Trail Blazers to 116-109 win over Celtics". Archived from the original on January 4, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  36. "Thomas scores 25, Celtics fight off Nets 122-117". ESPN.com. October 26, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  37. "Thompson, Durant lead Warriors to 104-88 win over Celtics". ESPN.com. November 18, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  38. "Celtics win in Detroit on Horford's follow in final seconds". ESPN.com. November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  39. "Crowder helps lift Celtics past Nets 98-95". ESPN.com. March 17, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  40. "Thomas scores 30, Celtics beat Heat 112-108 for 4th straight". ESPN.com. March 26, 2017. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  41. "Thomas' 33, Celtics' 3s too much for Wizards in 123-111 win". ESPN.com. April 30, 2017. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  42. "Cavaliers acquire Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 Unprotected First Round Pick". NBA.com. August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  43. Wojnarowski, Adrian (August 30, 2017). "Cavs add 2nd-round pick from Celtics to complete Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  44. "Jae Crowder 2017-18 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  45. "Jazz Acquire Jae Crowder and Derrick Rose in Three-Team Trade". NBA.com. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  46. "Mitchell has 27 points, Jazz beat the Blazers 115-96". ESPN.com. February 11, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  47. "Crowder has season-high 22, Jazz beat Grizzlies 95-78". ESPN.com. March 9, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  48. "Westbrook scores 45; Thunder beat Jazz to avoid elimination". ESPN.com. April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  49. "Leonard scores career-high 45, Raptors beat Jazz 122-116". ESPN.com. January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  50. "Memphis Grizzlies acquire Grayson Allen, Jae Crowder, Kyle Korver, draft rights to Darius Bazley and future first round draft pick from Utah Jazz". Memphis Grizzlies. NBA. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  51. Maloney, Jack (October 27, 2019). "Jae Crowder sinks buzzer-beating 3-pointer to lift Grizzlies over Nets for first win of the season". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  52. "HEAT Acquire Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder & Solomon Hill". NBA.com. February 6, 2020.
  53. "Suns sign Jae Crowder". NBA.com. November 28, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  54. "Corey Crowder NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  55. Gartland, Dan. "Jae Crowder Told His Mom He'd Been Traded to Cleveland Five Minutes Before She Died". Sports Illustrated.
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