Aaron Craft Explained

Aaron Craft
Height M:1.88
Height Order:flip
Weight Kg:85
Weight Order:flip
Birth Date:12 February 1991
Birth Place:Findlay, Ohio, U.S.
High School:Liberty-Benton (Findlay, Ohio)
College:Ohio State (2010–2014)
Draft Year:2014
Career Start:2014
Career End:2020
Career Number:14, 4
Career Position:Point guard
Years1:2014–2015
Team1:Santa Cruz Warriors
Years2:2015
Team2:Szolnoki Olaj
Years3:2016
Team3:Santa Cruz Warriors
Years4:2016–2017
Team4:Aquila Basket Trento
Years5:2017–2018
Team5:AS Monaco
Years6:2018
Team6:Budućnost VOLI
Years7:2018–2020
Team7:Aquila Basket Trento
Highlights:

Aaron Vincent Craft[1] (born February 12, 1991) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Ohio State University.

High school career

Craft attended Liberty-Benton High School near Findlay, Ohio, and graduated valedictorian of his class. He was the Ohio Division III player of the year his senior year (2009–10 season).[2] He averaged 26 points, 7 assists and 8 rebounds as a senior with 70 steals (3.2 per game).[3] His freshman year he was the starting point guard for their state runner-up team. In his four years, his teams went 88–5.[4]

In football, he was a two-time All-Ohio selection and was the Ohio Division V player of the year (2008 season).[5] During his junior year his team finished state runner-up in Division V football. In three years of football Craft accumulated over 11,000 yards of total offenses, passing for 6,800 yards and rushing for 4,700 yards both school records. He had a career 73.7% passing percentage. He was the starting quarterback for three years opting out of football his senior year to focus on basketball.[6] In those three years his teams had a 38–4 record.

During Craft's high school years he played on the All-Ohio Red AAU basketball team, with future Ohio State teammates Jared Sullinger and J.D. Weatherspoon, winning three consecutive National Championships. They were the only team to win the AAU Nationals at three different age levels.[7]

While Craft was growing up, his father, John Craft, stressed the importance of defense and how it was more important to be a good defensive player than offensive player. When Craft was in 2nd and 3rd grade, his father, who coached the junior high basketball team, let him join defensive drills during the team practice. One of such drills that Craft remembers as grueling was getting into a defensive stance, and slide back and forth across the foul lane while holding onto bricks.[8]

College career

As a freshman, Craft was the lead point guard for Ohio State. He recorded the fifth highest minutes played on the team. He led his team in assists (177) and steals (73).[9] Craft set a school record 15 assists in a game during an NCAA tournament game against George Mason.[10]

As a sophomore, Craft was highly decorated and even featured in Time. He was the catalyst of the 31–8 Ohio State men's basketball team. Craft improved his offensive output as a sophomore and expanded his offensive role. He was an efficient scorer, shooting 50% from the field. But his long-range game could improve, only shooting 35.9%. Craft is not known for his shooting but more for his passing and low number of turnovers, with a 2.15 assist to turnover ratio.[11]

During his sophomore season Craft averaged 8.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.6 APG, and 2.5 SPG.[12]

In his junior year at Ohio State, Craft passed former Buckeye guard Jay Burson for most steals in school history with 205.[13] In the third round of the 2013 NCAA tournament against Iowa State, he hit a game-winning three with 0.5 seconds left to send the Buckeyes to the Sweet 16.[14]

Craft is the fourth player in Big Ten history to be a three-time first team Academic All-America selection and the third athlete in Division I history to repeat as Division I Men's Basketball Academic All-America Team Member of the Year.[15] Craft graduated from Ohio State with a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition sciences.[1]

On June 22, 2020, the Big Ten Network named Craft to the "All-Decade Basketball Team", placing him on their Third Team. Craft was one of 16 players honored by the Network for accomplishments between 2010 and 2019. Of the honor, Craft told BTN's Mike Hall, "It doesn't feel real. I really, truly believed the Big Ten was the best conference in the country when I was in school. That's because we had great coaches and we had really great players. To be able to be mentioned and honored with the other guys that are on these teams is a tremendous blessing for me and one that I appreciate and cherish."

College statistics

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2010-11| style="text-align:left;"| Ohio State| 37 || 1 || 29.6 || .461 || .377 || .727 || 2.9 || 4.8 || 2.0 || .1 || 6.9|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2011-12| style="text-align:left;"| Ohio State| 39 || 39 || 32.2 || .500 || .359 || .713 || 3.2 || 4.6 || 2.5 || .2 || 8.8|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2012-13| style="text-align:left;"| Ohio State| 37 || 37 || 34.1 || .417 || .300 || .768 || 3.6 || 4.6 || 2.1 || .2 || 10.0|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2013-14| style="text-align:left;"| Ohio State| 35 || 35 || 34.4 || .473 || .302 || .741 || 3.6 || 4.7 || 2.5 || .1 || 9.8|-

Professional career

Santa Cruz Warriors (2014–2015)

After going undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft, Craft participated in the 2014 NBA Summer League, joining the Philadelphia 76ers for the Orlando session[16] and the Golden State Warriors for the Las Vegas session.[17] On September 2, 2014, he signed with the Warriors.[18] However, he was later waived by the Warriors on October 24, 2014.[19] On November 3, 2014, he was acquired by the Santa Cruz Warriors as an affiliate player.[20] On November 14, he made his professional debut in a 122–95 win over the Los Angeles D-Fenders, recording five points, four rebounds, eight assists and two steals in 32 minutes.[21] On April 10, 2015, he was named the 2015 D-League Defensive Player of the Year[22] and on April 26, 2015, he won the D-League championship with the Warriors.[23]

Szolnoki Olaj (2015)

In July 2015, Craft re-joined the Golden State Warriors for the 2015 NBA Summer League, where he broke the Warriors' Las Vegas assists record for a single summer. Craft had 27 assists in the Summer League, breaking the old mark of 23, set by Brian Chase in 2010.[24]

On August 6, 2015, Craft signed with Szolnoki Olaj KK of the Nemzeti Bajnokság I/A in Hungary.[25] In December 2015, he left Szolnoki after appearing in 12 league games and 10 Eurocup games.

Return to Santa Cruz (2016)

On January 7, 2016, Craft was reacquired by the Santa Cruz Warriors.[26] The next day, he made his season debut for the Warriors in a 101–89 loss to the Iowa Energy, recording eight points, two rebounds, eight assists and four steals in 37 minutes.[27] At the season's end, he earned NBA D-League All-Defensive Team honors for the second year in a row.[28]

Trento (2016–2017)

On July 31, 2016, Craft signed with Aquila Basket Trento of Italy for the 2016–17 season.[29]

Monaco (2017–2018)

On July 2, 2017, Craft signed with AS Monaco.[30]

Budućnost (2018)

On June 26, 2018, Craft signed a one-year contract with Budućnost VOLI.[31]

Return to Trento (2018–2020)

On November 5, 2018, Craft came back to Italy and signed a deal with Aquila Basket Trento.[32]

Post-professional basketball career

Craft retired from basketball in the summer of 2020 after appearing in that year's edition of The Basketball Tournament (TBT) as a member of Carmen's Crew, a team made up mostly of OSU basketball alumni. He briefly ended his retirement for 2021 TBT, playing again for Carmen's Crew during his last full summer off from medical school.[33]

He enrolled in the Ohio State University College of Medicine to pursue a medical degree in August 2020.[34] [35] [36] Craft matched into an otorhinolaryngology residency at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and graduated medical school in 2024.[37]

Personal life

Craft is one-fourth Filipino through his paternal grandmother.[38]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. April 4, 2014 meeting, Board of Trustees. The Ohio State University. 627.
  2. Web site: OHSAA Boys Basketball Information. OHSAA.org. March 31, 2012.
  3. Web site: Aaron Craft bio. OhioStateBuckeyes.com. March 31, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120511084347/http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/craft_aaron00.html. 2012-05-11. dead.
  4. Web site: Welcome to Davey1. Davey1.com. March 31, 2012.
  5. Web site: 2015 OHSAA Football Playoffs Information. OHSAA.org. March 31, 2012.
  6. Web site: No more football for Aaron Craft. Youtube.com. August 11, 2009. August 11, 2009.
  7. Web site: Get Your Game Right, LLC – About Us . OfficeLive.com . March 31, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120427105304/http://getyourgameright.sports.officelive.com/aboutus.aspx . April 27, 2012 .
  8. Sean. Gregory. Ohio State's Aaron Craft: Meet the Pest of the Final Four. Time. March 31, 2012. March 31, 2012.
  9. Web site: Buckeyes – 2010–11 Season Statistics. OhioStateBuckeyes.com. March 21, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20130602173551/http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/stats/mbasketball/2010-11/teamcume.htm. June 2, 2013. dead.
  10. Web site: Bill. Rabinowitz. Men's basketball – Ohio State notebook: Craft sets OSU record with 15 assists. Dispatch.com. March 21, 2011. March 21, 2011.
  11. Web site: Jonathan. Givony. Top NBA Draft Prospects in the Big Ten, Part Two (#2–5). DraftExpress.com. September 8, 2012. September 8, 2012.
  12. Web site: Luke. Zimmerman. 2012–2013 Ohio State Basketball player profiles: Aaron Craft. LandGrantHolyLand.com. October 29, 2012. October 29, 2012.
  13. Web site: Craft Becomes Buckeyes All-Time Man of Steal. OhioStateBuckeyes.com. January 22, 2013. January 22, 2013.
  14. Web site: Borzello. Jeff. Aaron Craft's 3-pointer sends Ohio State to the Sweet 16. CBSSports.com. March 24, 2013. March 24, 2013.
  15. Web site: Craft Named Academic All-America of the Year; Crawford a First-Team Academic All-American. February 21, 2014. February 20, 2014. CBS Interactive. BigTen.org. https://web.archive.org/web/20140224180126/http://www.bigten.org/blog/2014/02/craft-named-academic-all-america-of-the-year-crawford-a-first-team-academic-all-american.html. February 24, 2014. dead.
  16. News: Sixers Announce Orlando Pro Summer League Camp Invitees. July 1, 2014. NBA.com. July 1, 2014.
  17. News: Warriors Announce 2014 Summer League Roster & T.V. Schedule. July 3, 2014. NBA.com. July 3, 2014.
  18. News: Warriors Sign Aaron Craft, James Michael Mcadoo & Mitchell Watt to Contracts. September 2, 2014. NBA.com. September 2, 2014.
  19. News: Warriors Waive Craft, Kapono, Kilpatrick, Mcadoo and Watt. October 25, 2014. NBA.com. October 24, 2014.
  20. News: Santa Cruz Warriors Announce 2014 Training Camp Roster . November 11, 2014 . NBA.com . November 3, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141109024823/http://www.nba.com/dleague/santacruz/warriors_training_camp_roster_110314.html . November 9, 2014 .
  21. Web site: Holiday, Warriors Blow Past Harris, D-Fenders, 122–95. NBA.com. November 14, 2014. April 30, 2016.
  22. News: Warriors Guard Aaron Craft Named 2015 NBA Development League Defensive Player of the Year. April 11, 2015. NBA.com. April 10, 2015.
  23. News: Title Wave: Santa Cruz Wins NBA D-League Championship. April 26, 2015. NBA.com. April 26, 2015.
  24. Web site: FORMER OHIO STATE GUARD AARON CRAFT BREAKS WARRIORS SUMMER LEAGUE RECORD FOR ASSISTS. ElevenWarriors.com. July 19, 2015. July 19, 2015.
  25. Web site: Helwagen. Steve. Agent Says Craft Has Signed With Hungarian Team. https://web.archive.org/web/20180519042616/https://247sports.com/Bolt/Agent-Says-Craft-Has-Signed-With-Hungarian-Team-38600012. dead. May 19, 2018. 247Sports.com. August 6, 2015. August 6, 2015.
  26. Web site: Warriors Acquire Aaron Craft. OurSportsCentral.com. January 7, 2016. January 7, 2016.
  27. Web site: Stepheson's 12th Straight Double-Double Fuels Energy. NBA.com. January 8, 2016. April 30, 2016.
  28. Web site: NBA Development League Announces 2015–16 All-NBA D-League Teams. NBA.com. April 29, 2016. April 30, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160904054918/http://dleague.nba.com/news/2015-16-all-nba-dleague-teams-release/. September 4, 2016. dead.
  29. News: Dolomiti Energia, c'è il nuovo play: preso l'ex Ohio State Aaron Craft. July 31, 2016. aquilabasket.it. July 31, 2016. it.
  30. News: Aaron Craft officially signs with Monaco. July 2, 2017. Sportando.com. July 2, 2017.
  31. News: KK Buducnost lands Aaron Craft . Sportando.com . June 26, 2018 . June 26, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180626164247/https://sportando.basketball/en/europe/montenegro/278831/kk-buducnost-lands-aaron-craft.html . June 26, 2018 . dead .
  32. News: Ufficiale: Aaron Craft torna alla Dolomiti Energia Trento . basketuniverso.it . November 5, 2018 . November 6, 2018. it. Official: Aaron Craft come back to Dolomiti Energia Trento.
  33. Web site: Former Ohio State Guard Aaron Craft to Play for Carmen's Crew in The Basketball Tournament . Andrew . Lind . Buckeyes Now . SI Fan Nation . June 14, 2021 . June 24, 2021.
  34. News: Casey . Tim . Former Ohio State Point Guard Aaron Craft Preparing For The Basketball Tournament, Medical School . August 4, 2020 . Forbes . July 7, 2020 . forbes . en.
  35. Web site: Ohio State University College of Medicine welcomed in the Class of 2024 . Twitter . 614 Magazine . August 4, 2020 . en.
  36. Web site: The new chapter has begun! . Twitter . August 4, 2020 . en.
  37. Web site: Trinoskey . Kelli . Ohio State celebrates successful medical residency match day at the Ohio Union . Ohio State University . 4 May 2024.
  38. Web site: Henson. Joaquin. Craft confirms Pinoy lineage. Philippine Star. April 11, 2015. June 1, 2013.