Prospect Spotlight: Ausar Crawley (2021)

With only a handful of games left on the majority of team's schedules, it's imperative that thing such as execution, chemistry and roles are understood in order to be playing your best basketball entering the postseason. For Mount St. Joseph, 2021 point guard Ausar Crawley has officially found his groove and as a result, the Gaels are cooking. The 5-foot-7 floor general has his fair share of experience considering he's played on the varsity level in big moments since stepping on campus as a freshman. Crawley, also a standout on the football team, took some time to get back into basketball shape as well as find his rhythm on the court. Going off of the Gael's current 10-game winning streak, it's safe to say he's back in form.

"We have a lot of guys who have played varsity for a lot of years," Crawley said. "I mean me and Tyler [Brelsford] are experienced and we know how to handle situations. Going into the season we knew we both had to step up and be more of a balanced scoring team since losing James Bishop (LSU). I think you're starting to really see that on the court."

Crawley's job since a freshman has been to be the initiator offensively. Controlling the pace, knowing when and were to find his teammates and ultimately being a calming presence when the pressure builds has something he's succeeded in for some time now. Teams with good guard are usually the teams that are in it until the end. Crawley and Brelsford have both been monumental in the Gaels making a late season push and even earning a statement win over St. Frances a couple of weeks ago.

"Last year and even my freshman year I was more of just a ball handler," Crawley said as he reflected on how his role has changed over the years. "Now, I have to find my shot as well as getting other people open. I'm just having to do a lot more now and accept the challenge."

Over his three-year high school career, Crawley has been an efficient shooter from the mid-range, specifically the elbow off the dribble. He likes to get those looks operating in pick-and-rolls or when defenders are closing out too aggressively. This season, we are seeing more and more of Crawley knocking down catch-and-shoot three's which further adds to his value. 

"I know at the next level, that's what college coaches want as me being a smaller guard. I need to be able to stretch the floor so I made that a focus through the summer to get better at doing that," Crawley told Prep Hoops.

Crawey is starting to gain some interest for his skills on the football field. No schools have reached out for his production on the hardwood, but it wouldn't take long for a college coach to fall in love with what he can bring to the table. Crawley is a high IQ player that truly understands how to run a team with elite scorers or make average scorers even better. Players such as Brelsford, Jason Edokpayi (Fairfield) and Cam Sapienza have all shown immense improvement first and foremost because of the hard work they've put in over the summer. But having Crawley out there to set the table makes their lives a lot easier.

Looking forward, Crawley knows what it's going to take for the Gaels to finish strong.

"We have to get better defensively," Crawley said following their win over Gilman. "This team was guard heavy, but we have to keep guys in front of us and keep playing hard. We have to get better offensively and do a better job of running our sets. We are starting to play these teams for a second time so they know what's coming. It's on us to make the adjustments play our best basketball."

KOBE SECTION

Kobe's impact on Crawley:

"It's just the mentality that he brought to everything. His mentality on the court but also what he did off the court. It makes me want to do everything I do with passion whether it be in the classroom or anything. Anything I do I want to do it with passion and have that Mamba mentality."