Two-Time Knee Injury, Two-Time All-Conference: Louisiana Tech’s Isaiah Crawford

A couple of sprained ankles. Some scratches on knees. Running into the wall mat to try to save a basketball at an AAU game.

That was the extent of Isaiah Crawford’s injury history prior to becoming a Bulldog at Louisiana Tech.

Fresh out of North Crowley High School in Fort Worth, Texas, Crawford admitted the start of his freshman year was a challenge on the court. Players were simply taller, faster, stronger. His ability to play at the collegiate level was confirmed though six games into the 2019-20 season when he and the Bulldogs battled the Indiana Hoosiers.

Inside one of the college basketball cathedrals that is Assembly Hall in front of 12,000 fans against a storied-Power 5 program, Crawford showcased all his tools – 14 points, 5 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals, all of which earned him a starting lineup spot the very next game.

“I thought I was hoopin’,” said Isaiah.

Other standout performances soon there followed in year one. A 10-point effort in an upset win at Mississippi State. A 13-point, 7-rebound performance against rival UL-Lafayette. Another do-it-all game with 15 points, 9 boards, 3 assists, and 3 steals came versus Southern Miss in the second Conference USA contest.

A week later on Jan. 11, 2020, Crawford was hoopin’ again. This time it was in El Paso, Texas against UTEP. In the first two minutes of the game, he already had the Bulldogs’ first 7 points – pair of free throws, steal and fastbreak layup, drained three-pointer.

“I started off great that game,” Isaiah recalled. “I was scoring the ball and on defense I was getting steals and deflections. And then the injury in the second half.”

With about 18:30 remaining in the second half and LA Tech up, 38-21, on the Miners, Crawford went up for a layup. That would be his last appearance as a freshman. Torn ACL in his knee.

“After getting helped to the training room, I tried telling all of the trainers that I was good and could keep playing,” said Isaiah. “I was denying it at first. It definitely rattled me.”

After the pain and shock came the surgery and rehab.

“I remember getting up at about 4 a.m., start the surgery about 5 a.m. Woke up about 10-ish. It made for a long morning. For a week, I would be off my feet doing nothing, making sure I had ice on my knee as much as possible so the swelling from the surgery would go down.

“You start squeezing your quads and making sure the activation can happen in your muscles. You’ll be on two crutches at first. Once you start bending that leg a little bit and have a little more strength, you can do one crutch. Then start walking with a brace, which limits how much you can bend your leg. Build up from there, running, cutting.”

Motivation came from everywhere. Family, friends, teammates, coaches, trainers. Not being able to help his team on the court. Wanting to get to his dream job – playing the NBA.

Crawford made his return 321 days later on Nov. 27, 2020 at home against UT Arlington. He had more fouls than points (3 to 2).

“That was a rough one,” Isaiah remembered. “Was very anxious.”

He knocked the dust off two days later, scoring 19 points versus Northwestern State while going 7-of-12 from the field and 3-of-4 from downtown.

He later returned to the scene of the injury, the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, almost exactly one year to the day. He took on UTEP twice, averaging 17.5 points and 7 boards in the two-game road series (had 25 in the game two victory).

Crawford had returned to form, securing a Third Team All-Conference USA selection after averaging 11.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game to go along with 57 assists and 31 steals.

No surprise, he was a Preseason All-Conference USA honoree going into the 2021-22 season. And he came firing right out of the gates, going for 15 points and 7 rebounds at No. 14 Alabama as well as a 16-point, 5-rebound effort against Jackson State.

Then on Nov. 15, 2021, with about 13:30 to go in the first half in the third game of the early season versus Jarvis Christian, the Thomas Assembly Center went silent.

“I remember pulling back trying to stop in transition and make a move,” said Isaiah. “I felt my knee move. It was a flashback. Not again.”

The diagnosis … torn ACL. Same knee. A freak accident said the doctors.

“The second time was definitely easier,” Isaiah acknowledged. “I already knew what I had to do to get back to basketball. The next day after the injury, I was already squeezing my quads getting ready for surgery. We ended up taking our time with the whole process since it happened at the beginning of the season.”

Crawford waited 357 days this time around. It was the 2022-23 season opener against Mississippi College in the TAC. No rust this time. He was an efficient 5-of-6 shooting for 12 points as well as 5 boards, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Did it all from the get-go.

He played and started in 32 games, injury free, averaging 13.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, both team highs. He also led the squad in assists (86) and steals (62). And was second in blocks (21).

He wasn’t just a two-time knee injury Bulldog now. He was a two-time All-Conference USA Bulldog.

He is also now a CUSA Preseason Player of the Year honoree.

“Other coaches have noticed me and the work I have put in. It made me feel great. I now have to go out and earn it and go get it.”