How often have you heard the statement, “he is a player that you would love to be teammates with, but hate to play against. There are countless guys in NBA history that would fit that description. Without thinking for a second, you could come up with names like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson or a Lebron James. These are great players that are NBA legends that teammates just loved to play with. But it isn´t always like that. I remember asking an American Pro A player at the end of last season, what his memories was of his other American teammate was. All I got was a no comment. Times aren´t always rosy with guys especially if a player is selfish and playing only for their stats and that next fat contract. These guys are always around overseas. But there are also those players that teammates love. One of those players is second year man Ed Croswell (203-F-1999, college: Providence) who is playing his first season in the easyCredit BBL for the Frankfurt Skyliners. He had a potent rookie season in the second division in Turkey last season. In the NCAA, he had a stellar career with Providence under head coach Ed Cooley who now is an assistant coach with the Georgetown Hoyas. It is always interesting to hear how ex coaches describe a former player. “My fondest moment with Ed was just seeing how much his teammates loved him and celebrated his success”, remembered ed Cooley. Hearing something like that says a lot about a player´s character. Will that kind of love be the same in Frankfurt from his teammates this season?

Ed Croswell who lists the Superbowl win of the Philadelphia Eagles as his biggest thrill was born on September 6th, 1999 in Philadelphia. He began his basketball career at St Joseph Prep where he once recorded a triple double against west Catholic with 17 points, 10 boards and 10 blocks helping his school to the semifinals of the PIAA Class 6A Tournament. He then played 2 seasons at La Salle University (NCAA) where ex Skyliner Ramon Galloway played. In his 2 years there, he played 58 NCAA games and despite only raising his minutes from 19 to 21 in his second season, he made a big jump in his scoring averaging 4.6ppg, 7.0rpg in his freshman season to 10.0ppg, 7.3rpg, FGP: 60.2%, FT: 55.2% in his sophomore season. He scored in double figures in 18 games and registered 7 double doubles including a 24/18 explosion against St Louis and 18/15 games against Fair Dickinson. He demonstrated in his first 2 seasons his brilliant knack for scooping down offensive rebounds as he was first and third in the nation in offensive rebound rating. Despite having a solid second season, he decided to seek a new challenge in Rhode Island with the Providence Friars and played for head coach Ed Cooley. His first 2 seasons with the Friars was tough as he averaged only 6 minutes in his first season averaging 2,3ppg and 1,9rpg while in his second season his minutes rose to 14 as did his points and rebounds to 5,3ppg and 4,7rpg. He just couldn´t get past upperclassmen Noah Watson and Noah Horchler. “He was adapting to a new environment while also learning from 2 experienced post players”, said Ed Cooley. He helped the Friars reach the 2022 NCAA Sweet 16 and scored in double figures in 7 games and scorched the University of Rhode Island with 13 points and 15 rebounds. But in his last season his time finally came as his minutes rose to 28 and he broke out averaging 13.3ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 61.3%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 66.0%. “He worked harder on his game in his senior year and worked countless hours with coach Battle”, remembered Ed Cooley. He scored in double figures in 24 games and had 8 double doubles. He had some incredible games including against Georgetown with 25 points, 13 boards, 6 assists and 3 blocks. There wasn´t one game that Ed Colley remembered most as his favorite moment with him, but the entire 3 years. “I was just so proud of him and how he trusted the coaches. I was proud of his development as a player and person”, stated Ed Cooley. He saved his best for last as in his last NCAA game scored 16 points against powerhouse Kentucky. “That game gave him added self-confidence going into the pro ranks. It showed he could score against legit size”, said Ed Cooley.

The Philadelphia native who lists Paul George as his favorite athlete got a first taste of how the NBA works playing NBA Summer League with the Utah Jazz in 2023 averaging 4,3ppg and 1,7rpg. He scored 9 points in a 97-93 win over the Phoenix Suns. He then came overseas and played his rookie season with the Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 2nd team (Turkey-TBL) averaging 19.1ppg, 9.3rpg, 2.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 59.7%, FT: 60.9%: He scored in double figures in 30 games and had 18 double doubles. He scored 20 points or more 17 times. He showed in Turkey that he can be that versatile offensive player averaging more than 2,0apg. “Towards the end of his NCAA career, his offensive versatility was starting to show”, expressed Ed Cooley. Now he will play his second pro season in Germany with the Frankfurt Skyliners. So what kind of player will folks in Germany witness with Ed Croswell? Ed Cooley will never forget the first time he saw him play. “He was very physical and competitive with an overall very good feel for the game”, warned Ed Cooley. Hearing those NBA comparisons are always interesting and the one that Cooley offered is a player that I haven´t heard so often to guys balling overseas. “Ed is a throwback player that is very physical. I would say a smaller version of an Andre Drummond”, stated Ed Cooley. The big brings so many vital attributes to the table that will enrich the Skyliners at both ends of the court. “He is a very good defender in the post and being able to move his feet on the perimeter. He has a tremendous knack for offensive rebounding one of the best that I have ever coached in that area”, warned Ed Cooley. But it is his defensive game that could really bolster the Skyliners in the easyCredit BBL something they will need badly in their quest to remain in the first division. “He is a very good post defender because of his physicality and will. His ability to defend in the post while also being nimble enough to move his feet on the perimeter is great”, stressed ed Cooley. In the Skyliners press release, Denis Wucherer stated that he got to know a very friendly and motivated young man in Ed Croswell. It will be interesting to see how quickly Croswell´s character infects everyone else on his team.