Jae Crowder Says EuroLeague Rules Caught Him Off Guard After NBA Years

After 13 seasons in the NBA, Jae Crowder is adjusting to a very different basketball culture in Europe. The 36-year-old forward, who now plays for French club ASVEL, says the EuroLeague has impressed him with its quality, tactics and passionate crowds—even as its rules have taken some getting used to. One lesson came during ASVEL’s loss to Žalgiris in Kaunas. Crowder scored while being fouled and shouted, “And one!”—a familiar reaction from his NBA days. This time, however, he received a technical foul. Crowder approached the referee to explain that he had not used an insulting word and had not realized the reaction could be penalized in Europe, according to the report. The game also brought a physical matchup with Jonas Valančiūnas, a former NBA teammate. Crowder said the two exchanged words after a foul, but described the moment as friendly. He knew Valančiūnas’s style and was trying to fire himself and his teammates up as ASVEL sought to get back into the contest. Crowder spoke positively about the competition, saying that European players and coaches bring considerable intelligence and that teams prepare detailed tactical plans. He also praised the atmosphere created by supporters in EuroLeague arenas, while noting that the game differs from the more athletic NBA style. ASVEL has personal significance for Crowder: his father, Corey, played for the club in the 1997–98 season. Crowder said he hopes to add to the family’s basketball legacy in Europe and feels glad he chose to continue his career there. The former Miami teammate of Goran Dragić also responded to criticism of European basketball from retired NBA player Gilbert Arenas, though the source excerpt ends before Crowder’s full reply is given.