Drew Crawford always did have a unique window into NBA life.
The son of longtime NBA referee Danny Crawford, Drew Crawford was exposed at an early age to the professional atmosphere. He shot hoops with LeBron James the summer before James jumped from high school to the pros.
Crawford himself is at the NBA’s doorstep now. Close, though, can still be so far away.
Undrafted out of Northwestern, the 2009 Naperville Central graduate was an invite to the Orlando Magic’s training camp, then played last season for Orlando’s Development League affiliate in Erie, Pa.
He joined the Magic’s Orlando summer league team earlier this month. Most recently, he played for Toronto in the Las Vegas summer league, averaging 10.7 points in the first three games.
“I always knew it was tough to make the NBA just because the talent level is so high,” Crawford said. “But now that I’m right on the cusp and experiencing it, I realize how difficult it can be to find a spot in the league. There are 15 guys on each team, so you only have 450 NBA players, and basketball is worldwide. It’s extremely difficult.”
Crawford left high school as Central’s all-time leading scorer and was Big Ten Freshman of the Year at Northwestern. He went on to earn third-team All-Big Ten honors twice.
Now, it’s about finding a niche.
Crawford knows if he’s going to be player 11-15 on an NBA roster, his role will be as a defender who can knock down open shots. He tries not to get caught looking ahead to his next professional stop.
“I try to control the things I can control,” Crawford said, “which is playing hard every time I step on the court and trying to show teams what I am capable of.”
Crawford has not yet been exposed to the glamour of pro life. The grind, he knows.
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Erie’s schedule was different than college — tougher travel, more games. The games, too, were longer, with a “heavy offensive” flavor.
Much of the air travel was done through connecting flights. There were long bus rides, and the team flew out of Buffalo — a 1-hour, 45-minute drive from Erie.
“A lot of early mornings and a lot of late nights,” Crawford said.
He was, though, fortunate enough to play on a team that “shared the ball.” Crawford averaged 16 points and 6.1 rebounds.
“One thing that is great is the exposure you get,” Crawford said. “You are not in the NBA, but you are still in an NBA program, and you always have people watching you.”
Crawford was watching, too, and waiting.
The NBA League Pass was on nightly in the townhouse Crawford shared with teammate Seth Curry. Curry eventually got the call from the Phoenix Suns. Another teammate, Austin Daye, joined the Atlanta Hawks.
Crawford waited, but he didn’t do so idly.
“There is anticipation. You are hoping for an opportunity,” Crawford said. “But at the same time, you try to focus on the moment.”
Home for the summer, Crawford continued to work. He has a sublet in Evanston and works with a trainer in Buffalo Grove. When he isn’t there, Crawford plays in as many pickup games as he can find.
His agent is negotiating spots with NBA teams, but if that doesn’t pan out, Crawford will consider playing professionally overseas. The money is better than in the D-League. So is the chance to build his name.
Unlike others in his position, Crawford always has an economics degree from Northwestern to fall back on.
“It’s something I’ve been working for my whole life. Sometimes it does get frustrating,” Crawford said. “Then I go back and realize I have a great education to fall back on if basketball is not it for me. But basketball is my main focus now.”
Joshua Welge is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.