With Tyronn King being in his final season RDP Kings basketball head coach Darren Graham needs to find a team leader going forward.
He doesn’t have to look every far. In fact Brazilian native Eduardo Crespo, who is likely to be around for four or five seasons, is quickly turning into exactly what Darren’s looking for.
“He’s a bit older and has international experience … is versatile, plays hard at both ends of the court, is good in the transition game and is smart … just a savvy, well-rounded player,” Graham said.
“We really hope to keep him for four or five years as he’s a fantastic addition to our team and will be a cornerstone to build around.”
Crespo is in academic upgrading and will enter business next semester.
It was his desire to get a degree that eventually led him to Red Deer.
After finishing high school he played a year in Italy and a year in Spain in the U19 and U20 programs.
“My family was from Italy and I was able to get dual citizenship and play there. The following year I played in Spain but I wanted to get my education and play basketball and it’s impossible to do both over there. So I moved to California and played at a prep school.”
That was where he drew the attention of Graham.
“I was able to get several videos out prior to the pandemic and my coach there knew coach Darren and he contacted me,” the 23-year-old explained. “It took a little time because of the pandemic and getting my visa, but it’s worked out.”
The only thing wrong is the cold.
“Not used to it,” he said with a laugh. “Only been around it for a couple of days before, not two months.”
But he likes the city and is planning on staying for a couple of months in the summer “just to see the area and adapt.”
As for adapting he’s done an excellent job on the court.
He’s sits second on the team to King with 13.6 points per game and 6.1 rebounds while playing 27.6 minutes a game. He leads the regulars in shooting percentage at 48 per cent, is first in assists at 2.9 and steals 2.1
His stats show he’s getting more and more comfortable as he’s scored in double figures his last five games and has 30 rebounds in the last three.
“There’s things I had to get used to,” he said. “Playing two games back-to-back is different. Normally I played a team one game then you had time to see what you did wrong or right and work on things before moving forward. Here it’s difficult because you don’t have that time.”
Rebounding was something he was used but it was a matter of fitting in with a new team.
“I have the size to rebound, in fact I try to help wherever I can. I’ll try to rebound or dish the ball, not to be selfish and I think I’m doing a better job of that. I can adapt my game to whatever style we use … just try to help the guys.”
The fix-foot-four Crespo has fit in nicely at point guard, although he can play a number of positions.
“I played some point guard before but a lot of two (shooting guard) and even other positions as I was taller and was used to play against taller guys,” he said. “At the beginning it was a bit difficult as being younger you always want to score or take the ball to the basket, but with experience I learned more to control the attack and play calm and play a smart game. Not force anything, something the coaches have helped me with a lot.”
Graham feels comfortable using him in any position,.
“He’s versatile in that he can play position one to four. He’s got the height, is stronger than he looks, handles the ball and is athletic. He can surprise you. In his second game this year against Lethbridge he dunked the ball, something he never does in practice.”
Eduardo grew up playing soccer “like every Brazilian.
“But I was taller than a lot of the others so when I was 12 or 13 I started playing basketball. In middle school I played both sports. However, in high school I had to pick one and I stuck with basketball.
He played a lot club basketball against older players in Brazil and overseas.
“It’s FIBA rules, like we use, but it’s a different style of game … more physical, so that was something he needed to get used to as well,” said Graham.
Crespo and King are two of the older players on a young RDP squad, and have played a major role in their run to the playoffs. In fact the Kings finish their regular season against Ambrose this weekend — Friday in Calgary and Saturday at home.
The Kings (8-6) are tied with St. Mary’s University (8-7) for third and have the tie-breaker in their favour.
St. Mary’s plays 13-2 SAIT in their final game.
The Queens (6-8) have also qualified for the playoffs and will finish fifth or sixth. A sweep over Ambrose (3-11) gives them a tie for fourth with Medicine Hat, however, the Rattlers have the tie-breaker. Olds (5-9) could catch RDP for fifth as they face last-place Briercrest in a doubnleheader. Olds has the tie-breaker over the Queens.
Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter and member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame who can be reached at danrode@shaw.ca