Aaron “Cheese” Craft
By Adam
Day 3 of our Meet the Basketball Buckeyes, brings us to a player that quickly went from “maybe he’ll get some playing time this year” to an overwhelming fan favorite. Rarely does a college basketball player become a crowd favorite by averaging less than 7 points per game and not even making an appearance on the court for several minutes in some games. However, even without piling up gaudy offensive stats, Aaron Craft could turn the momentum in any given game through his remarkable passion for defense.
So who is this point guard whose teammates call him “Cheese” that came practically out of nowhere to run the offense for the best team in the country?
Craft (Sophomore, #4, 6’2”, 190 lbs) attended Liberty Benton High School in Findlay, Ohio and was a standout athlete in basketball and football. He quarterbacked (and played free safety) his team to a regional championship and state runner up in 2009, earned individual accolades of All-Ohio in 2008 and 2009, and was chosen as the Division V Offensive Player of the Year in 2009. He then showed a great amount of discipline when he decided not to play football his senior year, and to instead focus on becoming a better point guard for OSU. Similarly, he led his basketball team in Findlay to a state runner up finish in his freshman season, and left high school with 2009 and 2010 Ohio First Team All-State in Division III honors, and the 2010 Division III Player of the Year in Ohio. ESPN and other networks and websites throw out the phrase “all-around player” like candy at Mardi Gras, but Craft owns the phrase. In his senior season, “Cheese” averaged 26 points, 7 assists and 8 rebounds with 70 steals (3.2 per game). He scored on 57% of his shots from the field (164-288), 43% from 3-point range (43-101) and 85% from the foul line (120-141).
If these accomplishments summarized who Aaron Craft is as a person, then it would be impressive enough. However, Ohio State hit the jackpot with this young man who excelled just as much, if not more, academically in high school. Craft was the valedictorian of his graduating class and the National Honor Society President in 2009. “Seńor Queso” was also a member of the Spanish Club for all four years at Liberty Benton. On top of that, this sophomore point guard clearly has a sense of humor, as you can see from his 2011 Media Day video below, or from several of the pre-game specials from last season that show him and his teammates goofing around. It’s also safe to guess that Craft was not involved with any competitive choir groups, from his soprano/off-key rendition of Party in the USA, done with Jared Sullinger and Jon Diebler.
Many people, including Head Coach Thad Matta, have praised Aaron Craft’s work ethic, and although his hustle and success during games is apparent, it has a lot to do with his preparation in the gym and weight room. Matta said that many incoming freshman players have been unable to bench press 185 pounds even once, but Craft came in so physically fit that he completed that weight…24 times! If you’re having trouble wrapping your brain around that number, think about this: In 2009, Luke Harangody (F), Blake Griffin (PF), and DeJaun Blair (F) were able to complete 23, 20, and 18 reps, respectively, at the same weight in their NBA combine workouts (Harangody’s 23 was the highest of those that participated in 2k9). Greivis Vasquez, on the other hand, a 6’6”, 211 lbs guard from Maryland, was only able to get the 185 pound rep off of his chest once. The bottom line is that Aaron Craft is quick, he is able to keep up an intense pace for the whole game, and he is STRONG.
In his freshman year at OSU, Craft led the team in assists (3.8 p/g) and steals (2.0 p/g). He also, as is expected with defensively aggressive point guards, led the Buckeyes in personal fouls (2.7 p/g) and foul outs. His defensive play is straight out of a coach’s handbook. He hustles after loose balls, never lets a pass or dribble go uncontested, and has quick hands and great vision. These attributes help him not only get the ball from the opponent, but keep his composure and finish the steal with an assist to a streaking teammate. His 2.1 turnovers per game also were the most on the team, but were still well within reason for a point guard averaging almost 30 minutes on the court per outing. The perfectionist that he is, expect him to trim down the turnover number this year, while also stepping up his offensive output. He will be the first to admit that he played himself onto a very talented team, and knew that his offensive role was to keep the ball in the hot hands of Buford, Diebler, Sullinger, Thomas or Lighty. This year, I think that his points per game average will be much closer to double digits (guessing around 9.5) than it was last year (6.9). He already has a lightning quick move down the lane, so having the confidence to take advantage of it more than he did last season will help aggravate opposing defenses. Also, with his own play, he will inspire the others on the court to pick up the defensive slack left from David Lighty’s departure.
There are so many positive things to say about this young player that this blog could continue and be split into chapters. With a possibility of three more years on OSU’s campus, expect Aaron Craft to graduate from OSU in 2014 (if he doesn’t get his degree even earlier), and leave as one of the most respected ambassadors in the storied history of OSU basketball. It’s a tall order for a rosy-cheeked point guard from Findlay, but doubting this kid only helps to make him stronger.
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