Drew Crawford probably won’t remember too fondly his last visit to Israel with Taranto, as his team was defeated by 30 points by Hapoel Tel Aviv. But as long as it depends on Crawford, he does not intend to return to Israel just for a visit – he already feels Israeli for all intents and purposes. “Coming here during the season is a bonus,” he says in an interview with the Sports Channel. “It’s like returning to my second home, because Israel is a place I love very much.”
Why actually?
“My wife is Israeli, this is her home and it is also my home. We want to buy an apartment here. Israel is a country I love very much, the people have been great to me since the first time I came here when I played in Herzliya in 2015. It is a special place for me, a place to raise children and a family, it It would be an honor for me to be a part of it and live here.”
Will the center of your life be in Israel even after retirement?
“Yes, for sure. My wife and I talked about it and our clear direction. We want to start a family and raise the children here, we started the process of buying an apartment here. I want to live here as a citizen for all intents and purposes, it’s not just a matter of basketball. It’s a family and personal matter” .
Crawford met his wife during the 2017/18 season, when he played for Maccabi Rishon Lezion. Following his marriage to an Israeli woman, he is entitled to an identity card – and has already started the process. “I submitted all the summaries and transferred everything to the Ministry of the Interior,” he says. “I already got a temporary work visa and the next step is to get a temporary identity card and then get the citizenship. You have to wait for that.”
Have you received any indications that it is indeed on the way?
“It will happen, I’m sure, the question is how long. It could take a few years, but I hope it happens as soon as possible. I want to secure my future here, live here and play here.”
Do you want to represent the Israeli national team?
“It’s a dream for me, it would be a great honor, something I’d love to do. I want to represent the country even if I haven’t received citizenship at the official level yet, I’ve developed a connection to Israel. I believe I can also help, I’d love to play in an international competition because it’s something I’ve never done Never. This is a good opportunity for me, and I believe it can be good for both sides.”
Has anyone from the union spoken to you?
“I have not personally spoken with anyone from the union, but I know that my agent contacted them and that they are aware of the process.”
Last summer, Crawford was part of an Israeli team – he joined Maccabi Tel Aviv as a training player, which had a short roster due to Eurobasket shortages, and even took part in several preparatory games. “I was in Israel in August and at that time I was not yet signed to any team, so it was a good experience to be with them and train with them,” he says.
How did this connection come about?
“I have a good relationship with Avi Evan, I worked with him in the past. He talked to me and my agent and invited me to be part of the team in the preseason and I thought it would be a good opportunity. While I was at Maccabi Tel Aviv I received quite a few offers and in the end I signed with Trento while training with them “.
Do you want to return to play in Israel at the team level?
“Obviously, I had a lot of fun here, I would love to return to play in the league again.”
