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Jamal Crawford is one of the best ball handlers the game has ever seen. His flashy crossovers and effortless handles have inspired countless hoopers, including WNBA legend Candace Parker. Recently, Ace made it clear just how much she admires her TNT co-host’s game, sharing, “J I appreciate you more than you know ❤ game respect game and you have ALWAYS been an inspo.” Not only that, she even wished she had the chance to train with him while she was still playing.

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But that admiration goes both ways. Parker once wanted Crawford to train her son, recognizing the elite skillset he could pass down. However, Crawford himself is just as big a fan of Parker’s ball-handling ability. And if anyone needed proof, his latest post should put all doubts to rest.

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Crawford recently shared a throwback video from Parker’s high school days at Naperville Central, where she put on a dribbling masterclass, weaving through defenders with ease. “Look what I stumbled upon. @candaceparker you are, have been, and always will be 1 of 1!!!!!! My goodness!” he wrote on his Instagram story. Parker, clearly touched by the shoutout, reposted it with a fitting caption: “🥺🔥❤ tryna be on my @jamalcrawford 🔥🔥🔥🔥.”

But J-Crossover wasn’t done yet. He posted the clip on his feed, breaking down why that play was nothing short of special. “This was Neo in the Matrix …Let’s go through this,” he teased, setting the stage for an epic play-by-play analysis.

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“Step 1) Held off a little guard while being pressured full court. 2) Help defender comes, she SPINS off of her (and gets her running out the play 🤣🤣). 3) Then the third defender she hits with a low crossover dribble! (yikes). 4) The fourth defender slides over to help, she instinctively hits her with a behind-the-back pro hop! (🥶🥶🥶my goodness). 5) Then she floats it up over the last defender on the court,” J-Crossover explained.

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USA Today via Reuters

Safe to say, the WNBA “Ace,” left the NBA legend in awe—just as he once did for her.

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Jamal Crawford gets a call-out from Ace

Jamal Crawford was all fired up for DM5, 2024—the first-ever basketball training camp hosted by NBA star DeJounte Murray. After prepping Victor Wembanyama for his rookie season, J-Crossover took charge of a skills and drills camp for kids. But while Crawford was busy shaping young talents, Candace Parker had a new prospect in mind—one that caught even his attention.

So, who was it? None other than Hartt, the two-year-old son of Parker. The proud mom shared an adorable clip of Hartt draining a shot, hyping him up as only she could. “It’s a bucket!” she called out as the toddler effortlessly put the ball through the hoop.

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Wasting no time, Parker made sure Crawford took notice. “Jamal Crawford Where you at!!? Training camp. LetsGo! #1 two year old in the Nation @meeeeee let’s GOOO,” she wrote, playfully calling out her TNT colleague. Crawford, clearly impressed, reposted the clip, adding, “Yooooooo is he doing two-a-days already?! OK Nephew!!”

But this isn’t just about basketball. Parker and Crawford have built a special bond over the years, often teaming up for pranks and behind-the-scenes antics with Shaquille O’Neal. Now, with Parker hyping up her son and Crawford joining in on the fun, their mutual respect—and love for the game—is on full display once again.

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Pritish Ganguly

2,251 Articles

Pritish Ganguly is an NFL writer at EssentiallySports, recognized for his ability to highlight the league’s emerging talent by breaking down rookie performances, draft picks, and key matchups with sharp, insightful analysis. With a Master’s degree in Journalism and Communication, he brings clarity and depth to his coverage, helping fans understand the nuances of today’s NFL and its rising stars. Beyond writing, Pritish is a multifaceted content creator, proficient in sports photography, scriptwriting, and video editing. He uses these skills to produce engaging NFL stories that resonate with a wide audience. His analytical approach and creative storytelling combine to deliver comprehensive coverage of the league’s talent and trends.

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Oajaswini S Prabhu

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