Jamal Crawford is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 19 seasons. He was known for his scoring ability, ball-handling skills, and clutch performances. Crawford was born on March 20, 1980, in Seattle, Washington, and attended Rainier Beach High School, where he was a standout basketball player.
After high school, Crawford played one year of college basketball at the University of Michigan before declaring for the NBA draft in 2000. He was selected 8th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers but was traded to the Chicago Bulls on draft night. Crawford spent four seasons with the Bulls, where he established himself as a scoring threat off the bench.
In 2004, Crawford was traded to the New York Knicks, where he had some of the best seasons of his career. He averaged over 17 points per game in his first season with the Knicks and was named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year in 2010. Crawford also set a Knicks franchise record by scoring 52 points in a game against the Miami Heat in 2007.
After his time with the Knicks, Crawford played for several other teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Phoenix Suns. He continued to be a reliable scorer off the bench and was known for his ability to create his own shot and make difficult shots.
Throughout his career, Crawford was also known for his philanthropic efforts. He established the Jamal Crawford Foundation, which focuses on providing educational and athletic opportunities for underprivileged youth in the Seattle area. Crawford also won the NBA's Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award in 2019 for his leadership and mentorship of younger players.
Crawford retired from the NBA in 2020 at the age of 40. He finished his career with averages of 14.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He also ranks third all-time in NBA history in career four-point plays, behind only Reggie Miller and Stephen Curry.
Overall, Jamal Crawford had a successful and memorable career in the NBA. He was a reliable scorer and a respected leader both on and off the court. His contributions to the game and to his community will be remembered for years to come.
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