'13 TN SG Markel Crawford

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by cncchris33

In the absolute worst way.

And he knows that, so that's why i say that could benefit Tennessee when it comes down to decision time.

[bleedingTNorange]

From last weekends Pitt Jam Fest:

UA Hoop Group Jam Fest: Breakout Performers

Markel Crawford
Size: 6-4/185 |
Quick Take: Crawford was picking up steam during the high school season, and took it to a new level in Pittsburgh. He has a great way about him on the floor where he is always under control even though he plays with a high motor. Add in that he is a very good athlete and someone who does a good job of getting to the rim, and it is easy to see why Crawford’s stock is currently on the rise.

Recruiting: Tennessee, Memphis, Auburn, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida, Syracuse

[bleedingTNorange]

Memphis just offered, so much for Memphis not "wanting" him.

[MemphisCanes]

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange

Memphis just offered, so much for Memphis not "wanting" him.

He got an offer, just like I said may happen. Most likely a product of his big junior season.

Markel isn't going to Memphis though, at least that's how it appears now. Way down the list on Memphis' SG priority list as well, but his offer is committable at this point.

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by MemphisCanes

He got an offer, just like I said may happen. Most likely a product of his big junior season.

Markel isn't going to Memphis though, at least that's how it appears now. Way down the list on Memphis' SG priority list as well, but his offer is committable at this point.

I remember you saying Crawford WHO when I first mentioned him. You then went on to say how Memphis wasn't even recruiting him, didn't want him and that we could have him.

I thanked you then, because I said the kid was a stud. Not trying to start something but, wasn't a reasoning of yours that pastner isn't gonna recruit all the Memphis kids anymore? You were saying how hell go after just one or two? Yet now he's on markel in addition to others, seems his philosophy hasn't changed.

[MemphisCanes]

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange

I remember you saying Crawford WHO when I first mentioned him. You then went on to say how Memphis wasn't even recruiting him, didn't want him and that we could have him.

I thanked you then, because I said the kid was a stud. Not trying to start something but, wasn't a reasoning of yours that pastner isn't gonna recruit all the Memphis kids anymore? You were saying how hell go after just one or two? Yet now he's on markel in addition to others, seems his philosophy hasn't changed.

Again, at that time, they weren't. Things change.

I don't have the details as to why we've decided to offer, he's always been there. From those close to him, he's not going to give Memphis a lot of thought either way.

Pastner isn't pushing hard for Memphis kids, with the exception of a handful that he feels we're leading for (King, Johnson). Right now, it looks like those two will be the only Memphis kids in our 2013 class.

The rest will come from Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia most likely.

[bud0323]

Article on VQ if anyone wants to summarize it.

[bleedingTNorange]

Gaining a foothold in the city of Memphis has always been a challenge for the Tennessee basketball program, no matter who was running the show in Knoxville. Cuonzo Martin took a big step in reversing that trend in his first year on the job, and he and the Vols are looking to stay on that track in the 2013 Class.

Martin and the Vols are working to gain a foothold in Memphis.
Among several Memphis area prospects the Vols are targeting aggressively is Memphis Melrose wing Markel Crawford. A physical guard, Crawford (6-foot-4, 180 pounds) was the recipient of an early Tennessee offer and has seen steady attention from the Vols in the past year.

This past weekend we had a chance to catch him in action in Atlanta in the Wallace Prather Invitational, where he showed why his reputation as a tough, heady player who impacts the game in a variety of ways was well-earned.

"A lot of guys are mostly focused on their offense, but I try to be someone who can do a lot of things to help my team win. Whether that's defense, rebounding, handling the ball, whatever we need I want to be able to chip in and make things happen," Crawford said of his multi-tasking approach to the game.

With that kind of mindset, it's not difficult to see why Crawford has more than a little appeal as a prospect to Martin and the Vols.

That attraction is mutual at the moment, though Crawford has an expanding list of suitors.

"Right now I would say that Florida and Tennessee probably stand out as recruiting me the hardest," Crawford said. "I like both those schools a lot. I would say they're at the top along with Marquette and Ole Miss."

All four of those programs have offered along with hometown Memphis. Crawford added that following the April evaluation period he's also been receiving significant attention from Syracuse and Villanova.

Crawford made one unofficial visit to Knoxville during last football season, and says he plans to make it back to campus in the near future, possibly before the end of the month. He also intends to hit camp at Florida in June before jumping head first into the always hectic July AAU schedule.

"I liked what I saw from Tennessee when I was up there. They have a lot to offer, great facilities, great fan support," Crawford said, adding that he also liked the style Martin employs on the floor.

"As far as basketball and the coaches go it would be a good fit. I like how coach Martin plays and I really like how he stresses defense. I take pride in my defense, so that's something that doesn't turn me off at all. He's a real no-nonsense guy, though. You can tell he cares about his players, but they also have a lot of discipline in that program."

Getting Crawford back to campus for one more unofficial visit could be pivotal. That's because the Memphis swingman isn't ruling out an early commitment, though he doesn't seem completely certain that he'll take that path.

"I'd like to get it out of the way before my senior year starts, but we'll see how it goes," Crawford said of his timetable. "I want to be completely sure before I make that kind of decision, but if everything feels right I would probably go ahead and do it a little early."

Rivals.com rates Crawford as a four-star prospect and the No. 84 player in the nation in the Class of 2013.

[bud0323]

Thanks BTO, hope we get this kid.

[CAVol]

Sounds like the prototypical CCM recruit.

[bleedingTNorange]

I think we end up with Crawford, JMO.

[Chris4Vols22]

My gut tells me we're the team to beat.

I really hope we get Crawford and Nichols.

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by Chris4Vols22

My gut tells me we're the team to beat.

I really hope we get Crawford and Nichols.

Those 2 are at the top of my list as well.

[zjcvols]

Any new news on him?

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by zjcvols

Any new news on him?

Just that Tennessee is still top 2, behind Florida and he plans to visit in the fall.