Chicago big man taking academic approach

Josh Crittle, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound power forward from Hales Franciscan in Chicago, Ill., has offers from schools from around the country. To help him sort through the scholarships, the three-star big man said he will take an academic approach.

His approach makes sense because it worked for him on the hardwood, where he says he spent more time thinking about his game this season.

"I've put in a lot of work and I've seen myself get better," said Crittle, who is averaging 15 points and eight rebounds a game. "My jumper is better and I'm stronger and can handle different situations better. I used to be a guy that would sit back and let other people shine but I'm stepping up and shining a lot more."

It seems like recruiting is stepping up as well. His school list is expansive.

"Recruiting is going good. For the most part, it's the same schools as it has always been but there are some new ones popping in every once and a while," Crittle said.

Crittle said he has offers from Clemson, Iowa State, DePaul, Miami, Baylor, Valparaiso and Illinois State.

Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Wake Forest and Wisconsin have been in to see him and his teammates play this season, he said. Connecticut, Indiana, Nevada, Tennessee and Wisconsin are also involved.

"I'll probably narrow it down sometime in June and then take some official visits before my senior season starts," Crittle said. "I'm not necessarily sold on any one team yet. I'm open to everything.

"I want to check out the graduation rate and how their athletes do after they graduate. Things like how many students they have to their teachers rate and what kind of academic help they have for their athletes will be big. Academics are pretty big for me."

While there aren't any favorites popping up just yet, Crittle said he has noticed who is pushing harder this season.

"DePaul, Valpo, Miami, Clemson, Dayton and Iowa are probably recruiting me the most aggressive out of all of them," Crittle said.

Crittle will suit up for the Mean Streets AAU team again this spring.