Javaris Crittenton

Last updated

Javaris Crittenton
JavarisCrittenton (cropped).jpg
Crittenton with the Washington Wizards in 2009
Personal information
Born (1987-12-31) December 31, 1987 (age 36)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy
(Atlanta, Georgia)
College Georgia Tech (2006–2007)
NBA draft 2007: 1st round, 19th overall pick
Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
Playing career2007–2011
Position Point guard / shooting guard
Number1, 3, 8, 23, 6
Career history
2007–2008 Los Angeles Lakers
2008 Memphis Grizzlies
2008–2009 Washington Wizards
2010 Zhejiang Lions
2011 Dakota Wizards
Career highlights and awards
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at Basketball-Reference.com

Javaris Cortez Crittenton (born December 31, 1987) is an American former professional basketball player. During his four year career, Crittenton played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Zhejiang Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association, and the Dakota Wizards of the NBA D-League. He was previously the starting point guard for the Georgia Tech men's basketball team.

Contents

On August 26, 2011, Crittenton was charged with the murder of Jullian Jones, a 22-year-old mother of four. After pleading guilty to manslaughter in 2015, he was sentenced to 23 years in prison, [1] though it was later reduced to 10 years. He was later released from prison on April 21, 2023. [2]

Early life and high school

Crittenton was born to Sonya Dixon [3] in Atlanta, Georgia. [4] He attended Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, where, as a high school sophomore, he played alongside Dwight Howard. [3] Crittenton and Howard led Southwest Atlanta to victory in the GHSA class A state championship that season. [3] As a junior, in 2005, Crittenton averaged 28.4 points, 7.5 assists, and 8.2 rebounds. [3] He once again led Southwest Atlanta to the GHSA class A state finals, where they lost to powerhouse Randolph-Clay. [3] As a senior, Crittenton averaged 29 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds, and led Southwest Atlanta to the GHSA class A semi-finals against Randolph-Clay. After dismissing Randolph-Clay they headed to the championship game once again. This time they were successful in beating rivals Whitefield Academy to become state champions. [3] Following the season he was named a McDonald's All American. He was also named Mr. Georgia Basketball by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . [3] Crittenton carried a 3.5 GPA in high school, and was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and the Senior Beta Club. [3]

College

Crittenton with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in 2006 Javaris Crittenton (cropped).jpg
Crittenton with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in 2006

While at Georgia Tech, Crittenton excelled and was considered a team leader, a rare accolade for a freshman. [5] Tech coach Paul Hewitt urged Crittenton to take over a leadership role on the team after his play in several games in February 2007. [5] He recorded a career high of 29 points in a February 13 game against Florida State. [6] After a single season, he left school to go pro.

Professional career

Los Angeles Lakers (2007–2008)

Crittenton was drafted with the 19th pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. During an NBA Summer League game on July 8, 2007, he had 18 points, including a game winning jump-shot with 1.6 seconds left in the game. In the Lakers' first preseason game against the Golden State Warriors in Honolulu, Crittenton had 18 points along with one assist in a 111–110 loss.

Memphis Grizzlies (2008)

On February 1, 2008, Crittenton was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies along with Kwame Brown, Aaron McKie, rights to Marc Gasol and 2008 and 2010 first round draft picks for Pau Gasol and a 2010 second round draft pick. [7] On April 2, 2008, Crittenton had a career high of 23 points in a 130–114 win over the New York Knicks.

Washington Wizards (2008–2009)

On December 10, 2008, Crittenton was part of a three-team trade that sent him to the Washington Wizards along with Mike James from the New Orleans Hornets. In exchange, the Wizards sent a conditional first-round draft pick to the Memphis Grizzlies and Antonio Daniels to the Hornets. [8]

On December 21, 2009, Crittenton and teammate Gilbert Arenas were involved in a locker room confrontation involving guns. [9] In a recent interview, former Washington Wizards teammate Caron Butler stated that "you never know, and that's the crazy thing about it" when questioned if there was going to be a trigger pulled in the incident between Crittenton and Arenas. On January 25, 2010 Crittenton pleaded guilty and was given a year of probation on a misdemeanor gun possession charge stemming from this incident. [10] Two days later, Crittenton and Arenas were suspended for the rest of the season by NBA commissioner David Stern. [11] He was released by the Wizards following the suspension, while Arenas rejoined the team.

Zhejiang Guangsha Lions (2010)

On September 22, 2010, the Charlotte Bobcats signed Crittenton to a non-guaranteed contract. [12] They released him three weeks later on October 15. [13]

In December 2010, Crittenton played five games for the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association. He averaged 25.8 points per game, [14] but he returned to the United States after just a few weeks.

Dakota Wizards (2011)

In February 2011, Crittenton joined the Dakota Wizards of the NBA D-League. He played 21 games for the minor league team, including five starts. This is currently his last professional team he played for before later being arrested in 2011 for manslaughter charges.

Murder and drug charges

Javaris Crittenton
Conviction(s) Voluntary manslaughter with a weapon
Aggravated assault with a firearm
Criminal penalty23 years in prison
(reduced to 10 years)
Capture status
Free
Details
VictimsJullian Jones
DateAugust 19, 2011

On August 26, 2011, Crittenton was charged with the August 19 murder of Jullian Jones, a 22-year-old mother of four. Atlanta Police Department indicated that Jones was not the intended target; they believed that Crittenton was targeting a person who robbed him in April 2011. [15] Jones was shot in the leg and died during surgery. [16] Crittenton was arrested by the FBI at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, on August 29, while waiting to board a flight back to Atlanta. His lawyer stated that Crittenton's sole purpose for the trip to Atlanta was to surrender himself to custody. [17] Crittenton was extradited to Atlanta to stand trial for the murder. After his arrest, he denied any involvement. [18] Crittenton was released on a $230,000 bond. [19]

Crittenton and his cousin Douglas Gamble were officially indicted on April 2, 2013, on 12 counts in connection with Jones' death, including charges of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, giving false statements, attempted murder, and participation in criminal street gang activity. Crittenton reportedly joined the Crips after signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Fulton County assistant district attorney Gabe Banks, and allegedly also shot at Demontinez Stephens earlier in August 2011. [20] The target in both shootings was reportedly Trontavious Stephens, Demontinez's brother and a member of the R. O. C. Crew, which is part of the Bloods. [21]

While out on bond on the murder charges, Crittenton was arrested pursuant to a January 10, 2014, indictment of him and 13 other persons who were accused of selling multi-kilo quantities of cocaine and several hundred pounds of marijuana. Crittenton was charged with two counts of conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act. [22]

On April 29, 2015, shortly before his trial was set to begin, Crittenton pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter with a weapon and aggravated assault with a firearm. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison, [1] later reduced to 10 years in a deal with the district attorney. He was released from prison on April 21, 2023. [2]

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2007–08 L.A. Lakers 2207.8.491.333.6791.8.303.3
2007–08 Memphis 28018.1.400.265.6973.21.20.10.47.4
2008–09 Memphis 706.3.460.000.4550.90.7.0000.12.7
2008–09 Washington 561020.2.459.143.5932.92.60.10.75.3
Career1131016.4.442.231.6382.41.8.5.15.3

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "Ex-NBA player Crittenton gets 23 years in prison for Atlanta shooting death" . Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  2. 1 2 "'It's not fair': Mother of woman Crittenton killed unaware of sentencing deal". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. April 24, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Player Bio: Javaris Crittenton". RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. Archived from the original on July 6, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2007.
  4. ↑ Javaris Crittendon, espn.com, accessed February 13, 2007.
  5. 1 2 Odum, Charles (February 7, 2007). "College Basketball: Georgia Tech 74, N.C. State 65". Salisbury Post. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012.
  6. ↑ Associated Press. Georgia Tech 63, Florida St 57, espn.com, accessed March 11, 2007.
  7. ↑ "Grizzlies trade Pau Gasol to Lakers for four players and two first-round picks". NBA.com . February 1, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Wizards Acquire Javaris Crittenton and Mike James". NBA.com . December 10, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  9. ↑ "Report says Washington Wizards Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton drew guns on each other – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. January 2, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Crittenton's plea agreement on gun charges could affect Arenas' future". CNN. January 25, 2010. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
  11. ↑ Marc Stein (March 23, 2010). "Stern bans Arenas, Crittenton for year". Sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Bobcats invite Javaris Crittenton". ESPN. September 22, 2010. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Bobcats Release Javaris Crittenton". NBA. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Former Washington Wizard Javaris Crittenton back in jail – ESPN". Espn.go.com. February 22, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Former NBA player Crittenton charged with murder in Atlanta". The Sports Network . Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  16. ↑ Stevens, Alexis. "Former Georgia Tech star wanted for homicide". Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  17. ↑ "FBI arrests Javaris Crittenton". ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Javaris Crittenton back in Atlanta". espn.com. September 15, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Javaris Crittenton free on bond". espn.com. September 27, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  20. ↑ Boyd, Flinder (March 17, 2017). "Run And Gun". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  21. ↑ Garner, Marcus K. "Ex-Tech star Crittenton indicted for murder". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  22. ↑ Garner, Marcus K. "Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton back in jail". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
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