Tag: wisconsin basketball recruiting

Wisconsin’s 2020 class is one of the most exciting in recent history for Badger basketball. The five signees are all likely going to be valuable pieces for UW as Greg Gard continues to move the program forward. In this BadgersWire scouting report series, we are going to take a look at what each 2020 Badger signee will bring to Madison this fall and beyond.

According to 247sports, Steven Crowl is a three-star prospect who is ranked as the seventh-best player in his home state of Minnesota. The 6-9 center led his Eastview Lightning high school team to a perfect 11-0 conference record, and a 23-4 mark overall in his senior season. Crowl chose Wisconsin over the likes of Iowa, Minnesota, and Colorado.

Steven Crowl in one word: Crowl is a modern 6-9 center. The Minnesota native is not your classic, back-to-the-basket big man. Instead, the three-star prospect has the versatility to handle the rock, see the floor, and bring the ball up himself at the high school level.

Offense: Crowl’s passing ability is what surprised me most on tape. At 6-9, 210 he not only made point-guard-like bounce passes in transition, but also had the basketball IQ to make quick interior passes for open layups. For a big man, he already has the ability to put the ball on the deck. He also has the range to step back and knock down long jumpers. There is not a ton of film of Crowl hitting jumpers off the dribble, although as an open, set shooter he can cash his checks.

Defense: Crowl looks like the type of player, given Wisconsin’s depth on the frontline, that could consider a redshirt in terms of physically being ready. The talent is there, and that is easy to see on tape. On a college lifting program, the Minnesota native will certainly become a better interior defender. Crowl already is a solid rim protector at the high school level, but defensively he certainly has room to grow. Down the line, the 6-9 center has the athleticism and versatility to be a solid collegiate rim protector. 

Overall: Crowl is a modern big who fits well in Wisconsin’s fluid system. He runs the floor well, has a solid jumper, and is an underrated passer, especially given his size. After some time for development in the weight room and on the defensive end, Crowl is going to be an exciting part of the future at Wisconsin.