Detroit Renaissance High School retired the No. 32 jersey of former Kentucky star Joe Crawford Friday afternoon.
Here are some comments from Crawford:
“This moment means everything to me,” said Crawford, who accepted the honor along with his family, former coaches and teammates. “This is what you dream about once you pick up a basketball, to have your jersey retired at every level. This is very special for people to remember and honor those from that era.”
Crawford, 32, said he found out his jersey would be getting retired from new Renaissance head coach John D. White. They were both taking in a Detroit-Mercy game, when White informed him.
“Joe is very special to this school and in the hearts of all of those who have ever come through this basketball program,” said White, who took over the Renaissance program last summer. “When I first took this job, I always wanted to give back to those who gave before us. Joe Crawford was the first person we put on the list and he’s why we are here tonight.”
Crawford anchored one of the best Michigan high school basketball teams of all-time, along with Hairston. They were both ranked in the top-10 nationally in 2004, a class that featured Dwight Howard, Shaun Livingston, Josh Smith, Rudy Gay, J.R. Smith, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo, Al Jefferson, Marvin Williams, and Al Horford, among others.
Photo: Michigan Chronicle
