Former Cats Crawford and Daniels Using NBDL to Chase Dreams

"Patience and fortitude conquer all things"

- Ralph Waldo Emerson


Joe Crawford and Erik Daniels are patiently waiting for the opportunity to make an NBA team. The two former Kentucky Wildcats have found themselves working hard to earn that break by way of the NBA Development League (NBDL). The NBDL is essentially a minor-league "farm" system for the NBA. Crawford and Daniels appear to be on the correct paths as both are enjoying very successful seasons for their respective NBDL clubs.

Erik Daniels was undrafted out of Kentucky in the 2004 NBA Draft. He was signed by the Sacramento Kings as a free agent, but saw very limited playing time and was released on October 17, 2005. He was then signed by the Fayetteville Patriots of the NBDL where he averaged 17.6 points and 8.1 rebounds in 46 games. The stint with the Patriots earned Daniels a contract with Angelico Biella of the highly regarded Italian Serie A League. In the summer of 2007, he was signed by Lottomatica Roma, which is also an Italian Serie A club. His successful two-year run for Lottomatica Roma was noticed in the United States and he was selected as the 7th pick in the 2008 NBDL Draft by the Erie BayHawks. Daniels is currently averaging 20.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the BayHawks. Last month, Daniels became the first BayHawk player to be selected for an NBDL All-Star game when he was chosen as an alternate for the blue team.

Joe Crawford has taken a different path to the NBDL. Crawford caught fire for Kentucky late last season and was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the NBA Draft. The Lakers were excited at Crawford's ability and it appeared as if he would make the Lakers' regular season roster. In fact, he was signed by the Lakers and was listed on the roster. Then, due to an unfortunate injury to one of their regulars, the Lakers had to take a different course of action. Crawford was cut and assigned to the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBDL. Disappointed but determined, Crawford has played well the entire season for the D-Fenders. He is currently averaging 21.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He scored 44 points earlier in the season against Utah and was named the NBDL Player of the Week for the week of January 27th.

Both Joe Crawford and Erik Daniels continue to play hard in hopes of being noticed. They are both living the dream of making an NBA club and enjoying a long, prosperous career. For now though, they are working relentlessly for their meager NBDL checks (an average NBDL salary is about $35,000 annually). They are working hard for their dreams. A dream that may, or may not, materialize.

Joe Crawford at NBA.com

Erik Daniels at NBA.com

Crawford Named NBDL Player of the Week