Throughout the summer, GoRhody.com will run a weekly feature series introducing the members of the 2025-26 Men's Basketball team. The series will focus on their respective basketball journeys.

KINGSTON, R.I. - Sometimes life offers a reset button. Knowing when to push that button can make all the difference in the world.

Two years ago, Rhode Island forward Alex Crawford was able to do just that. After struggling to find his footing at Stetson, he transferred to San Diego City College, a junior college program in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference. The Chula Vista, Calif. native rediscovered the joy in basketball and saw his game blossom.

"Going to San Diego City did a lot for my self-confidence," Crawford said. "At Stetson, as a freshman I didn't really play a lot. I thought that I would play more, especially being in a smaller conference. I went in like every other freshman, thinking I was going to play right away. It didn't go that way."

As a true freshman, Crawford averaged 2.4 points a game in 24 appearances. He was productive in limited minutes, shooting 61.1 percent from the floor and scoring in double-digits three times. He sat out the 2021-22 season before transferring to San Diego City College for the 2022-23 campaign.

At San Diego City, he exploded, averaging 15.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while leading the Knights to a conference title. He shot 65.7 percent from the field - including 42.9 percent from the perimeter - while leading the team to a 26-5 record. Crawford was a PCAC First-Team All-Conference selection, paving the way for a return to Division I with Fresno State last season.

"Going to JuCo at San Diego City was kind of like a reset for me," Crawford said. "It gave me a chance to find my middle ground and get back to establishing consistency in my game. I started having more fun with the game again. I was able to play without overthinking everything too mach. I kind of got my groove back. It was a really fun season, one of the most fun seasons I've ever played. We did really well as a team, and it really helped me get my confidence back.

"It is a great feeling when you get to rediscover how fun the game really is for you. Your confidence goes back through the roof. When you get to a point where you think of it like a job, the days can start to feel like, 'Oh, here we go again. It's just another day.' But once you start having fun again, you know it's just something that you love to do. Your game flows a little better when you are having fun with it."

The game has always been an outlet for him since he began playing at six years old. Off the court, he is an avid fisherman who enjoys the peace that comes with being on the water, fishing pole in hand. Basketball has long provided a similar sense of peace, and getting back that source of comfort was significant.

"Basketball is a therapy in a lot of ways, a way to clear your mind," Crawford said. "Being able to come in and shoot and work on your game has always helped me stay centered on a day-to-day basis. Also, the competitive aspect of basketball has always been good for me. I love competing. Since I started with the game so young, basketball has always just been a natural, therapeutic thing for me."

At Fresno State, Crawford again was a full-time starter, averaging 11.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He proved he could be a consistently productive player at a high level.

"Last season, the realization for myself was that I can compete with anybody," Crawford said. "Going from JuCo to the Mountain West - which is a pretty respectable conference - I was able to play pretty well. I was able to play my game. Again, it raised my confidence. Having the opportunity to start and have a big role for a team in that conference was a confidence booster."

Now Crawford finds himself at Rhode Island, thanks in large part to mutual connections he had with assistant coach Duane Woodward. 

"When I entered the portal, some of my people knew Coach 40 (Woodward)," Crawford said. "He had recruited me, so there was a relationship established there. As I got to know Coach (Archie) Miller and all of the staff, I really liked everything the program had to offer. I liked the vision they had for me. It just felt like a really good fit."

As he gets to know his new teammates, two things have stood out to Crawford this summer.

"The biggest thing that has stood out is that we have a very mature team," Crawford said. "Guys are always in the gym, and everyone has a good work ethic. There are a lot of different pieces that fit well together and really complement each other's game. I'm still learning everyone's game, but it feels like we flow really well together.

"We also have some really highflyers on this team. I am used to always being one of the most athletic guys on the team, but there are two or three other guys here who may be more athletic than me. It's kind of crazy. It's going to be fun to play with this group. It forces you to have to find different ways to play. When you are used to relying on your athleticism and just jumping over the top of somebody, you can just score with your athleticism. When you are playing against guys just as athletic or more so, you have to develop the other areas of your game. You have to find ways to score and defend by being a little more crafty. It is expanding my game and forcing me to improve my skillset, in a good way."

A wing who can shoot, score off the dribble or come off ball screens, Crawford offers significant versatility on the offensive end. He also has enough length to move inside and post up, if needed.

"Before I came here, the coaching staff talked about what they needed, which was a versatile player who can do a lot of different things. That's definitely something I can bring to the table," Crawford said. "We want to get the ball out quick and get down the floor quick. We talk about it a lot every day. We want to get into our actions smoothly and quickly. We work on our transitions every day. We'll look to create a lot of easy buckets through the transition game."

Check back on Thursday, July 24 for a feature on forward Drissa Traore. To order tickets for the 2025-26 Men's Basketball Season, click here.

Summer Series
6/12 - Hinton Brings Strategic Mind to Rhody
6/19 - Johnson Leads With the Spirit of the Wolf
6/26 - Itejere Offers Explosive Presence in the Paint
7/1 - Cochran's Versatile Production An Asset
7/3 - Tripp Ready To Work For Rams
7/10 - Early Patience Allowed Sow's Game To Grow
7/15 - Corey Brings Electric Ability to Backcourt