Jalen Crutcher (born July 18, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Dayton Flyers.

Jalen Crutcher
Crutcher with Dayton in 2020
No. 10 – Birmingham Squadron
PositionPoint guard
LeagueNBA G League
Personal information
Born (1999-07-18) July 18, 1999 (age 24)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High schoolRidgeway
(Memphis, Tennessee)
CollegeDayton (2017–2021)
NBA draft2021: undrafted
Playing career2021–present
Career history
20212023Greensboro Swarm
2023–presentBirmingham Squadron
2024New Orleans Pelicans
2024→Birmingham Squadron
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× First-team All-Atlantic 10 (2020, 2021)
  • Third-team All-Atlantic 10 (2019)
  • Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team (2018)
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at Basketball-Reference.com

Early life and high school career edit

Crutcher is the son of Greg and Sheila Crutcher and grew up in Memphis, Tennessee.[1] He attended Ridgeway High School. Crutcher averaged 18 points, four assists, and two steals per game as a senior. He was a three-star recruit ranked the 65th best point guard in his class.[2] Crutcher initially committed to Chattanooga but decommitted after coach Matt McCall left to coach UMass. Crutcher signed with Dayton after coach Anthony Grant needed a point guard at the last minute.[1] Crutcher was also recruited by Murray State.[3]

College career edit

As a freshman, Crutcher started 22 games and averaged 9.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on a team that finished 14–17.[4] Crutcher was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team.[5] As a sophomore, Crutcher was third on the team in scoring with 13.2 points per game and second in the Atlantic 10 in assists with 5.7 per game, in addition to his four rebounds per game. Crutcher helped the team finish with a 21–12 record and reach the NIT semifinals and he was named team MVP.[6][7] He was also named to the Third Team All-Atlantic 10.[8]

Crutcher hit a three-pointer with seconds left against Kansas in the final of the 2019 Maui Invitational Tournament to force overtime.[9] He scored 12 points total in the 90–84 overtime loss.[10] Crutcher missed a game against Grambling State on December 23 with a concussion.[11] On January 17, 2020, Crutcher scored 21 points and hit the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to defeat Saint Louis 78–76 in overtime.[12][13] Crutcher scored a career-high 24 points and also had eight rebounds and seven assists on January 25, in a 87–79 win over Richmond.[14] He became the first Dayton player to be named Atlantic 10 player of the week on back-to-back weeks on January 27.[15] On January 30, he had 18 points in a 73–69 win against Duquesne and surpassed the 1,000 point threshold.[16] At the end of the regular season Crutcher was named to the First Team All-Atlantic 10.[17] Crutcher led Dayton in minutes per game (33.6), assists per game (4.9) three-pointers (21.4 per game), three-point percentage (.468, 147–314) and free throw percentage (.869, 86–99), and was second to roommate Obi Toppin in scoring (15.1 points per game).[18] After the season, Crutcher declared for the 2020 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.[19] On August 2, he announced he was withdrawing from the draft and returning to Dayton for his senior season.[20]

At the end of the regular season, Crutcher repeated on the First Team All-Atlantic 10.[21] As a senior, Crutcher averaged 17.6 points and 4.8 assists per game. He announced that he was declaring for the 2021 NBA draft and hired an agent, forgoing the extra season of eligibility the NCAA granted basketball players. Crutcher finishing 16th in career scoring with 1,593 points, fourth in made three-pointers with 242, and second in assists with 584.[22]

Professional career edit

Greensboro Swarm (2021–2023) edit

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Crutcher joined the Milwaukee Bucks for the 2021 NBA Summer League.[23] On October 8, 2021, he signed with the Charlotte Hornets,[24] but was waived six days later.[25] On October 24, he signed with the Greensboro Swarm as an affiliate player.[26]

New Orleans Pelicans / Birmingham Squadron (2023–present) edit

On September 8, 2023, Crutcher's rights were traded to the Birmingham Squadron[27] and on October 12, he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans.[28] However, he was waived on October 22[29] and, seven days later, he signed with Birmingham.[30]

On February 22, 2024, Crutcher signed a 10-day contract with the Pelicans[31] and on March 3, he returned to Birmingham.[32]

Career statistics edit

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

NBA edit

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2023–24 New Orleans 1 0 2.7 .000 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0
Career 1 0 2.7 .000 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0

College edit

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Dayton 31 22 31.2 .412 .338 .681 3.1 4.4 1.0 .1 9.2
2018–19 Dayton 33 32 36.5 .419 .363 .707 4.0 5.7 .9 .1 13.2
2019–20 Dayton 30 30 33.6 .468 .424 .869 3.2 4.9 .8 .1 15.1
2020–21 Dayton 24 24 38.1 .463 .372 .763 3.5 4.8 .8 .0 17.6
Career 118 108 34.7 .441 .375 .769 3.5 4.9 .9 .1 13.5

References edit

  1. ^ a b Archdeacon, Tom (January 22, 2020). "Archdeacon: 'No moment is too big' for Flyers' Crutcher". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  2. ^ Hartman, Marcus (October 25, 2017). "Meet the Dayton Flyers freshmen: Jalen Crutcher". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  3. ^ Archdeacon, Tom (January 14, 2019). "Archdeacon: A heartfelt hug, no handshake, for Dayton's Grant, Crutcher". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  4. ^ "MBB Preview: Flyers Coming Together, Rhody Strives for Continuity". Atlantic 10 Conference. November 3, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  5. ^ "Aldridge, Adams Named Atlantic 10 Co-Players of Year, Rhode Island's Hurley Voted as Coach of the Year" (Press release). Atlantic 10 Conference. March 6, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  6. ^ Jablonski, David (April 11, 2019). "Crutcher named team MVP at Dayton awards banquet". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  7. ^ Hall, Ben (September 11, 2019). "Obi Toppin and Jalen Crutcher Are Ready to Lead the Dayton Flyers Back to the NCAA Tournament". BH Journalist. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  8. ^ "Gudmondsson named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, Rhoades voted Coach of the Year". Atlantic 10 Conference. March 12, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  9. ^ Jablonski, David (January 18, 2020). "Dayton guard Jalen Crutcher on game-winning shot: 'Get the ball,' and 'Make a play'". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  10. ^ "Dayton almost does the thing against No. 4 Kansas, still has statement trip to Maui". MidMajorMadness.com. SB Nation. November 27, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  11. ^ "Ibi Watson leads No. 18 Dayton over Grambling State 81-53". USA Today. Associated Press. December 23, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  12. ^ "Crutcher's 3 in OT lifts No. 13 Dayton over Saint Louis". ESPN. Associated Press. January 17, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  13. ^ Norlander, Matt (January 29, 2020). "The Court Report: Overlooked national title contender Dayton has surprisingly built an all-time elite offense". CBS Sports. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  14. ^ "Toppin, Crutcher lead No. 7 Flyers past Richmond, 87-79". ESPN. Associated Press. January 25, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  15. ^ Jablonski, David (January 27, 2020). "Dayton Flyers guard Jalen Crutcher honored by Atlantic 10 for second straight week". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  16. ^ Jablonski, David (January 30, 2020). "Junior guard scores 18 points points against Duquesne". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  17. ^ Jablonski, David (March 10, 2020). "Obi Toppin makes more Dayton Flyers history in Atlantic 10 awards". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  18. ^ "Obi Toppin, Jalen Crutcher Named White Allen Co-Most Valuable Players". Dayton Flyers. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  19. ^ Jablonski, David (March 26, 2020). "Dayton Flyers guard Jalen Crutcher declares for NBA Draft". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  20. ^ Jablonski, David (August 2, 2020). "Dayton Flyers: Jalen Crutcher announces his NBA decision". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  21. ^ Purves, Michael (March 10, 2021). "4 Dayton Flyers honored with postseason A-10 Conference awards". WHIO. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  22. ^ "Dayton star PG Jalen Crutcher to enter NBA Draft". WHIO. May 4, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  23. ^ "2021 Bucks Summer League Central". NBA.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  24. ^ Wash, Quinton (October 8, 2021). "Charlotte Hornets Sign Jalen Crutcher and Cameron McGriff". NBA.com. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  25. ^ "Hornets Waive Crutcher and McGriff". NBA.com. October 14, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  26. ^ Trujillo, Justin (October 24, 2021). "Swarm Announce Training Camp Roster And Coaching Staff For 2021-22". NBA.com. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  27. ^ "Birmingham Squadron Acquire Returning Player Rights for Jalen Crutcher from Greensboro". OurSportsCentral.com. September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  28. ^ "Pelicans sign Jalen Crutcher". NBA.com. October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  29. ^ "Pelicans Add Matt Ryan On Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. October 22, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  30. ^ "Birmingham Squadron Finalize Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. October 29, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  31. ^ "New Orleans Pelicans announce roster moves". NBA.com. February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  32. ^ "2023-2024 Birmingham Squadron Transaction History". RealGM.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.

External links edit