Wake Forest Athletics
Crawford, Dukes Announce Plans To Transfer
3/23/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 23, 2007
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Freshman forward Casey Crawford and sophomore guard Shamaine "Joe" Dukes will leave Wake Forest University and the Demon Deacon basketball program at the conclusion of the spring semester, head coach Skip Prosser confirmed today.
Crawford and Dukes, both reserves this past season, will transfer to other schools with hopes of continuing their respective basketball careers. Neither Crawford nor Dukes has committed to another program at this time.
"Casey and Joe are first and foremost, outstanding young men," Prosser said today. "Our entire coaching staff truly appreciates their contributions to the program and wish them nothing but the best in their future endeavors."
Crawford, a 6-9 forward from Overland Park (Kan.), played in nine games this past season. He averaged 1.1 points and 0.4 rebounds per game. He scored a career-high five points in 10 minutes of action last November in a loss at Air Force.
"I appreciate the opportunity to come to Wake Forest and be a part of ACC basketball," Crawford said. "I just felt like a new place and a new challenge would be best for me right now."
Dukes, a 6-1 guard from Cuthbert (Ga.), was the back-up at point guard to freshman Ishmael Smith this past season. He played in 56 games over two seasons including six games as a starter. In his first career start as a freshman in 2005-06, Dukes recorded a double-double, including a career-high 10 assists, in a win over Charleston Southern. He averaged 2.7 points per game and dished out 37 assists this past season for the Deacons, who finished the year at 15-16 overall.
"I want to thank the coaches, my teammates and the fans for supporting me during my two years at Wake Forest," Dukes said. "Everyone was very understanding and I wish nothing but the best for Wake Forest."
Wake Forest, which closed the season with March wins over Virginia in the regular season finale and Georgia Tech in the opening round of the ACC Tournament, now has three roster vacancies. In addition to Crawford and Dukes, the Deacons lose seniors Kyle Visser and Michael Drum to graduation. Wake Forest signed one player - Indianapolis (Ind.) guard Jeff Teague - during the early signing period. The spring signing period begins April 11.
