Aug. 27, 2010

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis head basketball coach Josh Pastner announced Friday that the NCAA has completed, through its normal processes, the review of Chris Crawford's academic record and declared him eligible for the 2010-11 basketball season.

"We are very pleased with the decision from the NCAA that clears Chris for competition this season," Pastner stated. "As we did in Will Barton's case, we (university) continued to provide additional documentation to the NCAA for its review, which is part of its normal routine process."

A two-time Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Class AA All-State pick, Crawford averaged 19.7 points while helping his Sheffield High School squad to a 25-6 overall record in 2009-10. The 6-foot-4 guard led the Knights to their first Memphis Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Class AA city title since 1985. The Memphis, Tenn., native also helped Sheffield win the District 16-AA crown, and he took home tournament MVP honors after scoring 17 points in the District 16-AA championship game.

A consensus top-75 recruit, Crawford was a member of the Memphis Magic Elite AAU team that won the national championship at the Super 64 Tournament in Las Vegas in the summer of 2009. Crawford, who scored 16 points in the title game victory, netted the game-winning basket in the final.

The University of Memphis fall semester starts Monday, Aug. 30.