Jalen Crutcher hires agent, declares for NBA Draft
Jalen Crutcher has officially declared for the 2021 NBA Draft after a decorated career at UD. Photo courtesy of Griffin Quinn, Flyer News.
Peter Burtnett
Sports Editor
University of Dayton men’s basketball senior guard Jalen Crutcher announced Tuesday he will be signing with Tandem Sports + Entertainment agency and declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft.
Crutcher, who ranks 16th in all-time scorers at UD with 1,593 points, declared for the NBA Draft in a post to his Instagram Tuesday afternoon. The Memphis, Tenn., native is also a three-time winner of the White-Allen Most Valuable Player.
“First of all, I would like to thank God for all he has done and everything he is about to do. I would like to thank the University of Dayton, my teammates, Coach Grant and all of the coaching staff. And I can’t forget about the best fans in college basketball. Flyer Nation Io love you all,” Crutcher wrote in the post.
“I will always have fond memories of the times we spent together, working toward our great victories. You gave me the encouragement I needed to believe in myself, and the discipline that resulted in victory time after time. I can’t express how grateful I am.
“Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends who continue to support me day after day. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to play in the NBA. After talking with my coaches and family I have decided to forgo my extra year of eligibility by hiring an agent and entering the NBA Draft.
“J Clutch out.”
During his time at UD, Crutcher started 109 of 118 games played, beginning with 22 starts in his freshman season (2017-18). Averaging 9.2 points and 4.4 assists in 31.2 minutes played, Crutcher took a major step forward the next season, jumping up to 13.2 points and 5.7 assists in 36.5 minutes played per game over 33 starts.
The progression continued in his junior year, when the Flyers soared to a 29-2 season before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the Flyers’ season before the Atlantic 10 tournament even began. In 33.7 minutes per game, Crutcher averaged 15.1 points and 4.9 assists per game and shot 42.4 percent from three. His biggest 3-pointer came against Saint Louis in a 78-76 overtime win on Jan. 17, 2020.
https://twitter.com/DaytonMBB/status/1218370934173773824
The Flyers took a step back in 2020-21, but Crutcher still averaged 17.6 points and 4.8 assists per game in 38.1 minutes played, while shooting 46.3 percent from the field.
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