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Jason Crafton Position: Assistant Coach Experience: Fourth Year Alma Mater: Nyack '03

Jason Crafton enters his fourth year as an assistant coach at Navy.

Crafton has been instrumental in the resurgence of the Navy basketball program, serving as a recruiter and lead scout. As a solid recruiter, Crafton has infused outstanding talent into the program and has helped Navy to continued improvement on the court.

A year ago, Navy finished second in the Patriot League with a 16-14 record, the program's best mark since 2001. With its four-guard lineup that flourished offensively, the Mids were the top-scoring team in the Patriot League, while forcing the most turnovers and creating the most steals in the conference defensively. He has helped shape guards Kaleo Kina and Chris Harris into all-Patriot League performers, while helping Romeo Garcia earn all-Patriot League Rookie Team accolades. The Mids set school records a year ago in three-pointers made and free throw percentage, and forced the third-most turnovers in school history. Navy finished the year ranked in the top 50 nationally in scoring offense, three-pointers made, free throw percentage and steals per game.

In 2007, the Mids finished last season with a 14-16 record, their best record in six years. Navy accomplished that with a strong freshman class and talented upperclassmen. Under Crafton's guidance, guards played a huge role in Navy's turnaround, as the Mids set school records for three-pointers made and attempted, as well as free throw percentage (all have since been broken). Navy was also one of the most-improved teams in the country on the defensive end, ranking in the top 50 nationally in scoring defense.

The Mids continued its rebuilding process three years ago, posting a 10-18 record for the second consecutive year, despite the majority of the team being freshman and sophomores. The squad continued its offensive improvement, leading the Patriot League in points per game in all games played.

Navy finished 2004-05 ranked among the country's top 50 in two statistical categories -- rebound margin and steals. The Mids' +5.1 rebound margin was the 32nd best among 326 Div. I schools in the nation. Meanwhile, Navy finished No. 34 in steals per game, grabbing 8.9 per contest.

The Mids finished the 2004-05 campaign ranked No. 1 in the Patriot League in four statistical categories (overall games), including scoring offense. Navy averaged 69.7 points per game, 2.5 points more than second-place Lafayette (67.2 ppg). The Mids displayed a +13.5 scoring gain over the previous season, while averaging just under six rebounds a game more than the 2003-04 campaign.

Crafton had previously served for two years as an Administrative Assistant with the Villanova men's basketball program that reached the NIT Quarterfinals in 2004 and the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 2005. Crafton wore many hats while with the Wildcats, including Video Coordinator, as well as the Villanova Basketball Camp Coordinator. He produced recruiting mail-outs, oversaw the student managers and monitored the student-athletes' academic progress. In addition, he was responsible for the Wildcats' film exchange program and utilized the video editing system to break down film on the upcoming opponent. As the Villanova Basketball Camp Coordinator, Crafton oversaw the operation of the camp, which included scheduling guest speakers, producing the daily schedule and assembling and managing the camp staff.

Two years ago, Crafton was a member of the support staff for the Under 20 National Team Trials Camp in New Jersey where he broke down practice scrimmages and produced edit tapes for the coaches and staff.

Crafton earned his Bachelor of Sciences Degree from Nyack College in May of 2003 where he majored in communications. A three-year starter at point guard for the Purple Pride, he was a member of Nyack's first-ever conference championship team in 2000 that advanced to the national tournament. He went on to serve as a volunteer assistant coach for his alma mater following graduation before moving on to Villanova in the summer of 2003.

Crafton's duties include on-court coaching, scouting, recruiting, academic monitoring, spearheading the video editing process and serving as the Mids' camp coordinator.

Crafton resides in Annapolis.

# GO NAVY #