Crocs sign former Tiger Crosswell

Hot on the heels of announcing Todd Blanchfield’s re-signing with the team, the Townsville McDonald’s Crocodiles have announced the signing of Melbourne Tigers Guard Nathan Crosswell for season 2010/11.

The 190cm, 30-year-old born in Ballina NSW has played 276 NBL games and spent most of those with the Melbourne Tigers beginning with them in 1999-2000 and then returning in 2007 where he has played for them the last three seasons. Crosswell is familiar with the North Queensland lifestyle and in particular, the great rivalry between the Townsville Crocs and Cairns Taipans. Nathan was a Taipan in 2005-2006.

After winning a championship with the Tigers in 2007-08 and playing in the Tigers Grand Final of 2006-07 he brings some championship experience to the Crocs roster.

Crosswell was a member of the Boomers squad in 2008. Other career standouts include a second on the NBL ladder in 2004 with assists per game (5.8) and a mark on the Taipans honor board in 2005 for highest number of assists and steals per game.

The Crocodiles Chief Executive Officer says Nathan will strengthen the 2010/11 lineup which has in it Michael Cedar, Peter Crawford, Russell Hinder, Luke Schenscher, Ben Allen and Todd Blanchfield so far.

“Nathan has had a great career in the NBL and not only brings experience but also adds to the winning culture in the program. He is a great addition and will no doubt strengthen our lineup in 2010/11,” said Ian Smythe.

After 276 games in the NBL Crosswell averages 9.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists.  He had a standout season with the Tigers in their championship year where he led the Tigers in assists (4.4), hit 263 points, pulled down 86 boards and shot 82.3 per cent from the charity stripe.

Head Coach Trevor Gleeson was happy to snap up the services of Crosswell and was surprised the Tigers let him go, rating him as an under utilized point guard and praising his ability to move the ball around. 

“He’s not a full-on scorer he is more of a ‘get us into the right mode’ and make sure the ball gets to the right people at the right time. He is a hell of a player and last weekend got 17 assists in the SEABL and that’s something we have lacked for the last couple of years to get a guy who can get double figures in assists,” Gleeson said.