TALLAHASSEE – Florida State sophomore guard Jalen Crawford was born on February 2, 2005.

It was on a bright and sunny day that he was welcomed into the world at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

Appropriately for the Crawford family, the Seminoles played basketball that day.

More than 20 years later, Crawford continues to live out a dream that many would call his birthright as he enters his second season as a member of the Florida State Men’s Basketball Team.  He is one of three returning players on head coach Luke Loucks’ first Seminole team.

For Crawford, who grew up watching Loucks as a Seminole point guard, Florida State University is as much a part of his DNA as any of the more than 400,000 alumni of the university who bleed garnet and gold. Both of Jalen’s parents are proud FSU alumni with rich athletic ties to the university. His mother (Wendy) was a Golden Girl, and his father (Adrian) played basketball for the Seminoles. His grandfather (Coleman, Adrian’s dad) was an assistant coach for the Seminoles from 1997-2002. The father-son duo of Adrian and Coleman led the Seminoles to the second round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament with a win over Texas Christian and a Round of 32 game against Valparaiso.

Crawford was only two years old when he attended his first Seminole basketball game at the Tucker Center. His mom remembers the game as a victory over Stetson on December 20, 2005, in the midst of a season that ended with a postseason NIT appearance.

“I’ve been around the sport of basketball since I was born,” said Crawford. “One of the first memories of the game of basketball was learning that my dad was a Seminole basketball player. I also remember all of the times he would take me over to the gym when he went to shoot with the other FSU players while I was growing up.”

Crawford earned his chance to play on the same court his father once starred on when he made his Seminole debut in Florida State’s 72-52 win over Tarleton State at the Tucker Center on November 12, 2024.  He would appear in six games as a freshman, earning playing time against Tarleton State, Hofstra, UMass, and Western Carolina during the non-conference schedule and against Miami and Georgia Tech in ACC play.

“My dad and I have a special bond,” said Crawford. “First because he’s a great dad and we have a great relationship. Second because we have the unique experience of playing a sport we love at the same school.”

As one of the few veterans on this year’s Florida State team, Crawford has been focused on being the best teammate he can possibly be while welcoming the Seminoles’ new players into the family.

“My goals this year are to provide energy and encouragement on the court while being prepared for any opportunities that come my way,” said Crawford. “I am preparing myself for opportunities on the court and in the classroom.”

Growing up, Crawford was well-prepared by his mother and father for success in the classroom during his career as a student-athlete at Florida State.

He certainly displayed his academic talents during his freshman season.

Crawford was named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll and earned academic Dean’s List honors which set himself up for academic success as he works towards his degree in sport management.

“Academic success means everything to my family because we understand how blessed we are to attend Florida State University,” said Crawford when he was named the Seminoles’ Academic Performer of the Week in August of 2025. “My parents have always taught me that with privilege comes responsibility. I have the responsibility to work hard, stay humble, and use my education to make a positive impact on the world we live in. I’m truly honored to be named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll.  It’s an honor that wouldn’t be possible without a great support system pushing me to be my best.”

As a member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll and the Dean’s List while he was a Seminole, Loucks understands the difficulty of successfully blending academics with the rigors of being a Division I student-athlete.

“Jalen has a great way about him,” said Loucks. “He has a great energy, a great presence, he’s a phenomenal kid. We are going to continue to expect Jalen to continue to do what he is doing, which is to bring a lot of positivity, to be a great practice player, to be a great energy player, and to lift everyone up when guys are having tough days.”

In addition to being a great student when he’s in the classroom, Crawford has worked just as hard to become a great teammate on the basketball court.

“What I love the most about this team is how I can be my true self,” said Crawford. “I know that I am adding value to this team both on and off of the court. Many of the most valuable activities for our team are bonding experiences. The aspect I enjoy the most is talking with my teammates, understanding their backgrounds, and building relationships every day.”

For Jalen Crawford, who was born into a basketball family, the sport will always be a huge part of his life. Fortunately he gets to play basketball at Florida State where his family’s love story began.