Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Inks Two During Early Signing Period
11/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 12, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern head men's basketball Bill Carmody has announced the signing of Drew Crawford (Naperville, Ill./Central) and Alex Marcotullio (Warren, Mich./De La Salle) to National Letters of Intent to join the Wildcats for the 2009-10 season.
"We're extremely excited about the additions of Alex and Drew to our basketball family," Carmody said. "They both are excellent students in classroom and have had stellar high school and AAU careers. With the loss of two senior guards to graduation after this season, they will have an opportunity to help immediately."
Crawford (6-5, 180) saw his stock sky-rocket following an outstanding summer prior to his senior year as a member of the Illinois Warriors team. As a junior at Naperville Central, he averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds per game while being named the co-Player of the Year in the DuPage Valley Conference. Crawford, who had a penchant for hitting buzzer-beaters last season, is ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the state of Illinois in the class of 2009 by ChicagoHoops.com.
"Drew provides a combination of scoring and athleticism that we are thrilled to add to our program," said Carmody. "He is a very good three-point shooter who can also beat his man off the dribble. Drew had a remarkable summer with his AAU team, showing he can successfully compete with and against the best players in the country."
Marcotullio (6-3, 180) is recognized as one of the top shooting guards in the state of Michigan. A consistent long-range threat, he was named a third-team Class A all-state selection of the Detroit Free Press and a fourth-team pick of the Detroit News following a junior season that saw him average 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game. Like Crawford, Marcotullio was a member of one of the top AAU teams in his state--The Family--the same club as current Northwestern freshman Davide Curletti.
"Alex is primarily known as an excellent outside shooter, but he can handle well enough to help out at the point as well," Carmody said. "He is a good passer and an excellent floor leader with a tremendous understanding of how to play the game."
Northwestern opens it 2008-09 season this Sunday as it hosts Central Arkansas at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Drew Crawford
Guard • 6-5 • 180
Naperville, Ill./Central
High School: Named DuPage Valley Conference co-Player of the Year as a junior after averaging 17 points and 6 rebounds per game ... Daily Herald all-area selection ... Helped guide Naperville Central to a share of the conference title ... Rated No. 9 prospect in the state of Illinois by ChicagoHoops.com ... Scored 40 points in a regional semifinal win over Geneva ... Played for Illinois Warriors AAU team ... High school coach is Pete Kramer.
Personal: Born Andrew Eugene Crawford on 10/18/1990 ... Son of Danny and Claudia Crawford ... Father is a long-time NBA referee ... Chose Northwestern over Wake Forest, Oklahoma State, Loyola Chicago and DePaul.
Alex Marcotullio
Guard • 6-3 • 180
Warren, Mich./De La Salle
High School: Third-team Class A all-state selection of the Detroit Free Press and fourth-team pick of the Detroit News as a junior ... Averaged 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game ... First-team All-Catholic honoree ... First-team All-Macomb County ... First-team All-Metro East ... Team MVP ... Team captain ... Sporting News honorable mention All-American ... Team earned a berth in the MHSAA state semifinals as a sophomore ... Guided the Pilots to three district championships ... Played AAU ball for The Family, the same club as current Northwestern freshman Davide Curletti ... Also competed in football and baseball ... Honor roll student ... National Honor Society member ... High school coach is Greg Esler.
Personal: Born Alex James Marcotullio on 6/6/1991 ... Son of Loretta and Lyle Marcotullio ... Chose Northwestern over Western Michigan and Oakland.
