Jamal Crawford’s basketball career spans nearly three decades, including a brief stint with the Brooklyn Nets in the 2019-20 season. Drawing from this wealth of experience, Crawford is committed to mentoring young players, eager to share the lessons he’s learned over the years. A pivotal period in his development was training alongside Michael Jordan, a bond that began when Crawford was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2000.

Speaking about the influence Jordan had on his game, Crawford recalled to Austin Rivers,

“That jump happened because of Michael Jordan,”

highlighting how deeply MJ’s work ethic inspired him. He described early morning workouts with Jordan, saying,

“I go meet him at Hoops. He’s preparing at this time for the Wizards comeback. I didn’t know it. Six in the morning, he’s working out.”

How Michael Jordan Shaped Crawford’s Growth

Crawford admired Jordan personally and professionally, noting exchanges where MJ encouraged him to work on his game. He recounted,

“I’m like, ‘I can’t believe it’s Michael Jordan.’ He’s like, ‘Man, I’ve always liked your game.’ Like, d**n, my dad was right! The first thing I thought, my dad was right. ‘We could work out this summer,’”

a moment that marked a turning point in his confidence and skill development. After a challenging rookie season, Crawford’s scoring average nearly doubled during his sophomore year, a progression he credited to Jordan’s mentorship. From 2002 through 2018, Crawford maintained consistent double-digit scoring, underscoring the lasting impact of those early lessons.

Passing Wisdom to New Generations, Including Victor Wembanyama

Today, Crawford embraces his role as a mentor, combining insights from both legendary and current players. He explained,

“I’ve been in the gym with Wemby. I’ve been in the gym with Michael Jordan. So who can cover that kind of ground.”

Merging knowledge from the era of a basketball icon and a promising 2023 draftee like Victor Wembanyama demonstrates Crawford’s unique ability to connect generations.

Reflecting on the influences that inspired his own journey, Crawford added,

“Doug Christie and Gary Payton did it for me. And I knew what it did for me. Like that match, it made a fire. If they did that for me, I’m going to do that for every kid I can, whether I know him or not.”

This mindset fuels his dedication to youth development through ongoing initiatives such as his Elite camps and the Crawsover Run, events highly anticipated by aspiring players nationwide.

Confidence in Training Victor Wembanyama’s Fundamentals

Regarding his work with Victor Wembanyama, a rising star in basketball, Crawford remains confident in the fundamentals he imparts. He addressed skepticism about their partnership, stating,

“It’s funny, I saw some people say, ‘What’s he doing with Crawford?’ And it was funny because one of the things we did most was footwork, and what I was showing him was that footwork works anywhere.”

This emphasis on versatile skills reveals Crawford’s intention to equip future players with essential techniques adaptable across all styles of play.

As a result, the next generation of basketball talent undergoing Victor Wembanyama basketball training under Crawford‘s guidance is expected to emerge with not only improved skills but also a deeper understanding of the game, shaped by one of the most experienced professionals in the sport.