Florida native Noble Crawford, a vertically explosive 6-foot-6 Class of 2020 wing at Scotland Campus Sports (PA), committed to LIU-Brooklyn earlier this week.
The upside-heavy Crawford, known for his dazzling displays of athleticism and in-traffic finishing ability, cited his trust with the Sharks’ coaching staff and the system employed by head coach Derek Kellogg as influential factors.
“I strongly believe Long Island University is the best place for me to thrive in the future and my game really matches the style Coach Kellogg likes to emphasize,” explained Crawford, who is averaging 15.5 points and six boards this season and will return from injury in early February.
“The system Coach DK runs definitely fits me because I like to run, I like to play at a fast pace, I like to shoot threes and make big plays that have an impact on the game.”
Known for his thunderous dunks and above the rim game, Crawford has devoted his post-graduate season to enhancing his all around skill-set.
Crawford has added a reliable 3-point shot and deep jumper into his repertoire, while subsequently becoming more proficient at slashing and scoring via the one on one game.
After playing alongside high-scoring guard Tyrell “Turbo” Jones (now at Auburn) at Florida-SIAA conference power West Oaks Academy, Crawford has become a major supplemental scoring piece and active presence on the glass alongside Iowa State commit Darlinstone Dubar, defensive catalyst Norrance Tres Berry (Rhode Island, Toledo, Tennessee), 3-point ace Jayson Woodrich (who averaged 27 PPG during the prestigious National Prep Showcase In Connecticut) and a traditional big in 6-foot-9, 225-pound bruiser Abou Ousmane (Texas A&M, Ohio, St. Louis, Toledo).
“I think if I work hard enough, I can be a major part of a winning culture there and we can eventually take over the NEC,” Crawford said.
Scotland Campus head coach Chris Chaney cited two-way versatility and IQ and know-how as bedrock attributes of Crawford’s game.
“Noble is a hard working and extremely athletic player who has good concepts of the game and sees the floor well,” Chaney, who has amassed close to 800 wins as the winningest prep coach of this era, explained.
“He plays with a purpose and can defend multiple positions.”
Chaney’s relationship with Kellogg stems back to his days at now defunct Laurinburg Institute.
Chaney built the barren North Carolina prep school into a national superpower (with the memorable 2005 40-0 Wayne Otto national championship team widely regarded as the greatest prep team of all time) under his time at the helm there, grooming a torrent of high-drawer recruits.
Chaney helped Kellogg–then an assistant under John Calipari at Memphis– land former Laurinburg products such as Antonio Anderson, Robert Dozier, Joey Dorsey, former New York Knicks sharpshooter Shawne Williams, and several others.
“Noble’s best days are ahead of him,” Chaney said.
“And playing at LIU for a coach like DK will prepare him for that bright future of his.”
