Prep Basketball -- Crawford Commits To Michigan -- Rainier Beach Guard Still Needs SAT Qualifying Score

Jamal Crawford's long journey not only to attain a decent education but to test his skills as a premier basketball player is close to a destination.

Crawford, a 6-foot-5, 180-pound point guard from Rainier Beach High School, yesterday orally committed to the University of Michigan.

However, he's not quite there yet. Crawford still needs a qualifying SAT score to be accepted in the Wolverine program, otherwise he might have to attend a junior college next year. Academics have been a struggle for Crawford, who has attended three high schools in two states in a five-year span.

Last spring, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, in a rare move, granted Crawford another year of high school eligibility this year because of the hardship he had faced early in his prep experience at Los Angeles' Dorsey High.

Dorsey is located in an area notorious for turf wars among gangs, and Crawford found himself in the crossfire. There were times when he couldn't or wouldn't go to school because he feared for his life.

"It was a definite hardship," Rainier Beach Athletic Director Dan Jurdy said. "There were some personal things there that the WIAA heard. That's why they ruled another year."

His family moved to Seattle two years ago, and Crawford first attended Franklin High. He then transferred to Rainier Beach last season. Playing in his first year of organized ball, he helped lead the Seattle school to the Class 3A state title.

Crawford wanted to go to Washington last fall, but did not qualify because he was deficient in his core curriculum. Fresno State accepted him, but the oral commitment was negated with the WIAA fifth-year ruling.

"I know it's real tough," Crawford said of gaining an extra year. "I was happy. I know they have hearts."

Among his current classes are two courses Crawford needs to fulfill his core requirements. All he needs is a minimum score on the SAT, which he will take in December.

"The preliminary test he took was very good," Jurdy said.

If he qualifies, Crawford is a prized recruit. One national magazine listed him as the second best point guard in the country. He averaged 23 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and four steals last season.

"I think I'm the type of player who can make people around me better," Crawford said.

That quality might be needed at Michigan. The Wolverines are picked to finish in the lower half of the Big 10.

"I think I can step in. I know a lot of talented players around the country are considering them," Crawford said. "I think we can get back to how it used to be at Michigan."

Crawford also considered Oregon, St. John's, Minnesota and Kansas State. He said the Washington Huskies "had just as much of a shot as anyone else. I just wanted to get away from home, learn things."

Because of academic reasons, Washington is believed to have backed away from Crawford, who could rank among the best players in state history by season's end.

"We have a plan to get him there (academically). I'm pretty sure he can get there," Jurdy said.

"No matter where you go, even a community college, you have to be disciplined going to class. That's why it was important to come back here (Rainier Beach) to get that down."