Josh Crittle

[Daniel Poneman]

One of the top uncommitted seniors in the state of Illinois is now off the board, as 6-8 PF Josh Crittle of Hales Franciscan committed to Oregon. Crittle will join his longtime Meanstreets AAU teammates; Matt Humphrey and Mike Dunnigan as Oregon Ducks.

Crittle chose to end the recruiting process today as he chose Oregon over Minnisota. Crittle is a long, versatile forward with tons of upside and is expected to be an impact player for the Ducks.

Crittle will suit up this year for Chicago Hales Franciscan, along with fellow Oregon commit Matt Humphrey. Crittle and Humphrey, a 6-5 SG, are arguably the top duo in the state, and are expected to make a splash this season playing in the Chicago Catholic League. The team also features a number of other division one prospects including juniors DJ Cooper and Jordan Walker, and sophomore Brandon Spearman.

For the latest news in Illinois prep basketball, keep it with Illinoishsbasketball.com

[Average Joe]

I guess I kinda hoped he would have played at Minnesota, but he might be going to a program that's really on the rise.

[Da Coach]

Thanks for the news on Crittle. As far as I know, Crittle was never on Bradley's radar. But he did consider Southern Illinois until he trimmed them to leave those final 2 (Minn and Oregon).

[DoubleJayAlum]

Sorry if this has been addressed before, but what is the Oregon connection? i.e., why is Oregon pulling all of these kids out of Illinois?

[tornado]

Take this answer for what it's worth.........

The University of Oregon benefits from millions of dollars donated to the program by the Oregon based Nike Industries.

That means there is a whole lot of money talked about by their recruiters, but if course you can't pay a recruit.
But it doesn't hurt for the kid to think he will develop a really tight relationship right away as soon as he enrolls at Oregon, with lots of those Nike execs, and maybe the possibility of a shoe-contract if they make it to the pros??
Plus....you don't think some of that shoe money might just find its way through the AAU connections (where it is virtually impossible to trace) do you?


"Oregon Gets $100 Million Gift"

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4888

More on the Oregon/sneaker connection......and how much money seems to swirl around Oregon...

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?p=6940&highlight=oregon+nike#post6940

[SFP]

Sorry if this has been addressed before, but what is the Oregon connection? i.e., why is Oregon pulling all of these kids out of Illinois?

Have you ever been out to Salem, OR? It's not to hard to imagine spending 4 years out there if you are serious in getting to the next level. They play in a pretty good conference, the weather in Salem is not to bad, if you like the outdoors it is almost paradise. They play a very up-tempo style that kids love to play, they have a great coach, they are very consistant in making the tourney and the facilities are top notch (Thanks to Mr. Knight, aka NIKE). So if you are a person who wants to get away from home and live in a nice setting, Oregon has to be one of the top destinations.

[d dub]

I have been taking a look at this site for a while and thought I might wait to post until there I could bring some local knowledge. As a Portlander, Duck football and basketball are really big here and Nike is definitely a significant factor. They largely funded the renovation to Autzen Stadium where the football team plays including plasma tv's in players' lockers. From what I hear the facilities are just sick!!! So although they are not getting paid, the perks ain't that bad either.

Also, recently a huge booster/friend of Phil Knight's recently became AD and are trying to get facilities for basketball.

http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2007/03/14/News/The-New.Face.Of.Oregon.Athletics-2775266.shtml

Joevan Catron, a sophomore at U of O, is from the Chi as well and Ernie Kent has some connections in Chicago and Detroit (Malik Hairston/Tajuan Porter).

And they get to wear really ugly yellow uniforms (Nike of course).

[Da Coach]

Josh Crittle, a 2008 recruit from Chicago Hales Franciscan HS has decided to leave Oregon and transfer.

http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/crittletransfer.html

I am not sure if Bradley was ever involved much in his initial recruiting, but SIU was. Despite being highly rated in high school, he never played much at Oregon. He averaged 1.9 ppg his freshman season, and 3.6 ppg as a sophomore.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/players/81100

He was ranked among the top 10 players in Illinois for 2008-

http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/2008rankings.html

[Air Petey]

Take this answer for what it's worth.........

Plus....you don't think some of that shoe money might just find its way through the AAU connections (where it is virtually impossible to trace) do you?

NO WAY..... That does not happen in college basketball. Only in Hollywood in the movies (See Blue Chips). All recruiting is fair and equal!!

Just ask Memphis and John (He can now be found in horse country).

[Da Coach]

Josh Crittle, who was one of the highest rated recruits in Illinois' class of 2008, is transferring again. He started at Oregon and played 2 seasons there, then transferred to Central Florida, sat out a year, then played last year there. Now he has left Central Florida after the cheating scandal, and is transferring to UIC.

[tornado]

this kid has obviously followed bad advice time and time again...he could have had a decent mid-major career instead of being a perennial deep bench 3 ppg player
now after Joey Miller, then Purdue's Kelsey Barlow...plus SIX other juco transfers .....
...............UIC has overnight taken over the title of Transfer U.
I guess they have totally given up on recruiting high school kids...