Future No.1 Pick? Crawford's Son Tops 2029 Player Rankings: Playing Style Resembles His Father and Hamilton

On May 28, Beijing time, former NBA star Jamal Crawford played 20 seasons in the league. Now, his son JJ Crawford has topped ESPN's newly released 2029 high school boys basketball player rankings, positioning him as a potential future NBA No. 1 pick.

JJ Crawford stands 1.96 meters tall, plays guard, and attends Seattle's Rainier Beach High School. ESPN scout Biancardi compares his playing style to his father Jamal Crawford and former NBA wing and three-time All-Star Richard Hamilton.

Biancardi commented on the young player's core strengths: His court instincts and basketball IQ are far ahead of his peers, he has a full range of scoring ability inside the three-point line, mid-range, and at the rim, and his size and wingspan are outstanding for his age group.

He also explained why JJ is at the top of the rankings: "As the son of NBA legend Crawford, JJ possesses a composure beyond his years and can control the game's tempo. With his excellent playmaking talent, he can both score on his own and create opportunities for teammates. His ball-handling, change-of-pace skills, and overall feel for the game are inherited from his father's playing style that defined his NBA career; his fierce competitive attitude and consistent on-court performance make him stand out among his peers."

JJ Crawford made a big splash at the start of his high school career. Sports media MaxPreps named him National Freshman of the Year (tied). His team won the state championship, finishing the season with a 29-1 record and ranked 12th on MaxPreps' national high school team rankings.

The elder Crawford himself is a strong player, having spent 20 years in the NBA with a career average of 14.6 points per game. He won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award three times, setting a league record tied with former guard Lou Williams. Now, Jamal Crawford serves as a game analyst for NBC Sports' NBA coverage.