Joe Crawford is a top 10 NBA prospect in Israel

DrewFranklinKSR

I take it a lot of you aren't follow Joe Crawford's career for Maccabi Rishon in Isreal. That's OK, though. Sheridan Hoops has your back. The basketball website ran by former NBA writer Chris Sheridan ranked the top 10 NBA prospects in Israel, and our man Joe made the list. Have a read:

Joe Crawford — G, Maccabi Rishon Leziyon: After stints with the Lakers, Knicks and Kings, Crawford has gone to a situation where he is able to get significant minutes on a winning team. Already an accomplished scorer, Crawford has proven that he can defend, rebound and run an offense at a very high level. Crawford is probably in the best shape of his career right now, showing excellent quickness and leaping ability to go with his strong frame. While Crawford is more of a 2-guard with his outstanding jump shot, he has significantly improved his point guard skills and should be more than capable of playing both spots in the NBA. Though he has been one of the top scorers in the league, averaging 19 points a game, Crawford has gotten his numbers throughout the flow of the game and his willingness to move the ball and keep his teammates involved has been a large factor for his team’s success so far this season. It should be interesting to see whether Joe or his brother Jordan (Washington Wizards) ends up being the better player in the long run.

Crawford is a top 5 scorer in the IPL this season, averaging 19.8 points, 3.2 assists, and 4 rebounds per game. While his success overseas is great, I don't know that we'll be seeing him back in the states on an NBA team. Joe will be 26 at the time of next year's NBA Draft, and it'll be hard to imagine a team signing him from Israel over a young player right out of college. It'll take a perfect opportunity for Joe to play in the league. Also, I don't see the debate between the careers of Joe and Jordan Crawford. I love Joe, but his younger brother already has a triple-double in the NBA and he's averaging double figures through his first two seasons in the league. Still proud of the former Cat, though. [Top 10 NBA prospects playing in Israel]