HS Basketball: Rainier Beach's Jamal Crawford Up For Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Fame

HS Basketball: Rainier Beach’s Jamal Crawford Up For Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Fame

12/21/25

The first-time nominees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame were announced this week. Included was Rainier Beach’s Jamal Crawford, among other first-time nominees. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame takes into consideration the entire career of nominees for entering the hall, unlike some sports, like the NFL, which only looks at the professional career in that league.

Crawford played for Rainier Beach and led the Vikings to the State Championship in 1998. He went on to play at Michigan for one year before being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the eighth pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. In 2001, Rainier Beach retired Crawford’s jersey, number 23. Crawford played for the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, and Brooklyn Nets. Crawford was a three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year award winner, and for his career averaged 14.6 points per game. Rainier Beach honored Crawford by dedicating the court in his name and re-dedicated the court this year when the Vikings moved into their new building.

Crawford has been on television, doing game broadcasts with NBA League Pass before moving to TNT. Crawford has done games with MSG Network, calling the New York Knicks, and starting this season, he’s done games on NBC. Last season, Crawford joined the Rainier Beach coaching staff under his high school coach, Mike Bethea. Together, Rainier Beach rolled through 3A en route to a State Championship. Crawford is back on the bench this year, helping coach the Vikings, and they’re off to a 5-0 start. This year is unlike any other for Crawford, as he’s coaching his son, J.J., a freshman on the team who is taking the country by storm, quickly gaining social media attention with his impressive play on his father’s court.

According to NBA.com, the finalists are typically announced at NBA All-Star weekend, which is February 13 through February 15. The 2026 class will be announced at the NCAA Final Four on April 4 and the enshrinement ceremony is August 14 and 15.