Bowie State University signs Top Basketball Recruit
Willard Duke Crews Joins BSU Men's Basketball Program as High Profile Transfer from University of Tennessee
July 15, 2008
Bowie, MD - Bowie State University has signed Willard Duke Crews, a
high profile, McDonald's All-American transfer from the University
of Tennessee, to their basketball program. Crews made an official
announcement on Friday, July 11 during the Allen Iverson Celebrity
Summer Classic press conference at the ESPN Zone in Washington,
D.C.
"We are very excited to have Willard Crews as part of the Bowie
State University basketball program," says the university’s
Men's Head Basketball Coach Luke D'Alessio. "Willard is an
excellent student-athlete that we have great faith in and he will
be an excellent addition to our institution. We've had three
All-Americans to play at BSU and we expect Willard to be the
fourth." Crews will play the forward/center position on the
University team.
During his stint at Tennessee, Crews played in 61 games over two
seasons (2006-2007 and 2007-2008), starting 20 of those games. The
Hampton (VA) native was named to the Southeastern Conference (SEC)
All-Freshman Team, started 18 games, led the Volunteers with 32
blocks and a 51.8 field goal percentage, ranked second on the team
with 5.1 rebounds per game and was fifth in scoring (8.4 per
game).
As a high school (Bethel) junior, Crews shot 70 percent from the
field, averaging 19 points per game and led the Bruins to a 22-4
record and the 2005 Eastern Region quarterfinals. During his senior
campaign, Crews led Bethel to a 27-1 record and guided the team to
a regional and district championship while averaging 21 points and
13 rebounds. Rivals.com rated Crews a five-star prospect and No. 26
player overall. Some of his other accolades include being rated the
No. 2 player at the 2005 Nike Camp in Indianapolis, No. 14 player
in the country by HoopScoopOnline.com, third team selection to the
50th annual Parade All-American high school boys basketball team
and 2006 Associated Press All-State Group AAA first team
selection.
In addition to Bowie State, the University of North Carolina at
Charlotte and the University of Pittsburgh heavily recruited Crews.
His decision to attend BSU was influenced by the basketball legacy
of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the university
conference organization for 10 HBCUs. He expressed being very
comfortable with the players and the University.
"The CIAA welcomes Crews to the conference," says Commissioner
Kerry. "The CIAA is a legendary conference with pioneers like John
McClendon, Big House Gaines and Earl Monroe. This is a great
opportunity for a young, talented player like Crews to be a part of
that history. We have great expectations for Crews and value that
he offers to both BSU and the CIAA."
