Isaiah Crawford reflects on record-setting night

No other player in the history of Louisiana Tech can match the production of Isaiah Crawford.

With a career that already would go down as one of the best in program history, Crawford made history Wednesday night in the Bulldogs’ 96-55 win over Dallas Christian when he became the first player in school history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists, 100 steals, and 50 blocks in a career. And he did it in just 98 games and after two torn ACLs. With a journey and milestone like that, Crawford reflected on the accomplishment postgame with gratitude.

“Just going through that was hard and since I’ve earned something like that and nobody else has been in that category is a such a surreal moment for me,” Crawford said. “ Just all the great players that have been through here and that’s something special to me. I’m glad I was able to do something like that.”

It was only fitting he’d officially reach the mark with another stellar two- way performance to get the Bulldogs their 10th win of the season on Wednesday with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 steals.

Talvin Hester, head coach of the Bulldogs, was stunned postgame when he heard the news of Crawford’s accomplishment — only for the feat itself, but not for the caliber of person and player who was able to achieve it.

Hester has been with Crawford nearly every step of his Tech career, working with the longtime Bulldog as an assistant coach from 2018 to 2021 before leaving for Texas Tech for a season.

He remembers the pain of Crawford tearing his ACL just 16 games into his freshman season. He was there when Crawford tore the same ACL again two seasons later in only three games. And now, he’s here to watch him make history.

“It’s actually unbelievable,” Hester said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been a part in 21 years of coaching that somebody’s the only person at their university to do something. That’s actually a phenomenal feat – which means it’s probably hard for that to ever be broken and that also means I’m probably coaching a legend here. I’m excited to get to do that and live in his moment and celebrate him and enjoy him. I think he has a lot more in the tank, so he’s going to make that record really hard for somebody to catch going through conference season.”

With only 16 guaranteed games left in the season for conference play, Crawford could easily end up top 25 in program history in multiple categories when it’s all said and done.

His 1,206 career points currently ranks 33rd all time and only 187 points away from cracking the top 25 (an average of 11.7 points in league play). His 67 blocks are already 9th most all time — already more than Karl Malone. His 501 rebounds are 28th all time and only 26 away from making the top 25. He ranks 9th with 150 steals and 21st with 211 assists.

With Tech’s focus set on a conference championship over the final two months of the season, Crawford said he tries not to think about his overall legacy quite yet. But he does hope it comes with helping the Bulldogs make more history.

“I’ve tried to have it in my mind but just try not to overthink about it,” Crawford said. “ I just make sure I’m doing my job out there on the court and making sure I’m helping my teammates and my coaches do anything.”