Crooms Granted Immediate Eligibility to Play for Spartan Women’s Basketball
12/4/2020 4:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Prior to the start of Big Ten action, the Michigan State women's basketball team learned that redshirt-junior guard Janai Crooms was granted immediate eligibility from the NCAA for the 2020-21 season.
Crooms came to Michigan State after two successful seasons at Ohio State.
"We are absolutely thrilled to have Janai as part of the Spartan family. She will make an immediate impact with her ability to score the ball, push tempo and create for others," Merchant said. "She is an extremely talented and versatile guard that can take over games with her abilities, competitiveness, and passion. Her size and toughness makes her a tremendous defender that can guard multiple positions and skill sets."
Crooms is a 5-10 guard who hails from Cranston, Rhode Island, graduated from St. Andrews High School and played AAU Basketball for Mass Rivals.
Coming out of St. Andrews, Crooms was a No. 62 ESPNW HoopGurlz recruit in 2018. She was also a four-star recruit ranked No. 36 in the 2018 class by Prospect Nation. She was named to the American Family Insurance All-USA Rhode Island Girls Basketball Team Player of the Year as a senior and was a two-time honoree. Crooms was also a four-time New England All-Star. During her senior year, she averaged 12.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game.
The Spartans are 2-0 so far this season after wins against Saint Francis on Nov. 27 and Detroit Mercy on Dec. 2. Michigan State will now hit the road for the first time to open Big Ten action at Minnesota on Thursday, Dec. 9. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET with the game being broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
Crooms came to Michigan State after two successful seasons at Ohio State.
"We are absolutely thrilled to have Janai as part of the Spartan family. She will make an immediate impact with her ability to score the ball, push tempo and create for others," Merchant said. "She is an extremely talented and versatile guard that can take over games with her abilities, competitiveness, and passion. Her size and toughness makes her a tremendous defender that can guard multiple positions and skill sets."
Crooms is a 5-10 guard who hails from Cranston, Rhode Island, graduated from St. Andrews High School and played AAU Basketball for Mass Rivals.
Coming out of St. Andrews, Crooms was a No. 62 ESPNW HoopGurlz recruit in 2018. She was also a four-star recruit ranked No. 36 in the 2018 class by Prospect Nation. She was named to the American Family Insurance All-USA Rhode Island Girls Basketball Team Player of the Year as a senior and was a two-time honoree. Crooms was also a four-time New England All-Star. During her senior year, she averaged 12.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game.
The Spartans are 2-0 so far this season after wins against Saint Francis on Nov. 27 and Detroit Mercy on Dec. 2. Michigan State will now hit the road for the first time to open Big Ten action at Minnesota on Thursday, Dec. 9. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET with the game being broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
Players Mentioned
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