#32 Jae Crowder | F
Stats

Hometown: Villa Rica, GA

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 225

Position: Small Forward/Power Forward

Team: Marquette

Class: Senior
Strengths

Right-handed… Crowder was the next Golden Eagle in line for a break-out season following the likes of Wes Matthews, Lazar Hayward and then Jimmy Butler last season. But this former Junior College Player of the Year is a talented combo-forward with the skills to play inside and out. He is a well-built, 6'6", 235-pound wing that will most likely have him as an NBA 3-man. He makes up for his lack of size as a combo-forward with a relentless motor. Crowder's game revolves around his effort and will continue to, especially as he gives up athleticism and size to future-NBA pros… Crowder's offensive game relies on cuts to the rim, beating his man out into the lane in transition or attacking the offensive glass. He does a good job finishing around the rim on drives and carving out some space down low in getting into rebounding position. He is a much-improved perimeter shooter- elevating his 3-point percentage and free-throw percentage from previous career-averages… Crowder shows a good feel for the game- rarely forcing the issue on offense and averaging less than 1.5 turnovers per game.
Weaknesses

Like Hayward and Butler before him, Crowder is really an undersized 4 playing for Marquette and will certainly have some skills to hone moving forward. He isn't a great athlete which will limit him as a small forward, and he is certainly not 6'9" and will not be a force as an NBA power forward- so where will he play?... Crowder is not a play-maker by any means- he won't create a ton of opportunities for himself offensively, nor will he create much for others. He will need to improve his ball-handling ability… Crowder has the ability to go into the post and score with a turnaround jump shot, turning and facing and putting the ball on the floor or using a baby hook shot, but Crowder rarely takes advantage of these skills inside…
The Scouting Report: