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By Mark Wright
Missionary Crandall Returns to ASU
MESA, ARIZONA -- Elder Kenny Crandall is trading in his white shirts,
neckties and wingtips for some gym shorts and sneakers. Recently
returned from Eugene, Ore. after serving a two-year mission for The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Crandall hopes to resume
his college basketball career and return to action this fall. Before
his mission, Crandall played at ASU as a freshman in the 1998-99
season and will most likely play shooting guard if he makes the team
this fall. ASU suffered through a somewhat lackluster season last
year, due in large part to a lack of quality outside shooting from
the guard line. The Sun Devils struggled to a 13-16 record last
season and Crandall would love to help the team do better this year.
A former prep school standout at Mesa Arizona's Mountain View High,
Crandall has begun the arduous process of getting his mind and body
back in shape for the rigors of college basketball as he returns to
Arizona State University to try and make the Sun Devil squad for the
upcoming campaign. Most missionaries don't get much physical exercise
on their missions and Crandall was no exception. Other than the
occasional pick-up game on his preparation day, Crandall's fitness
regimen consisted mostly of push-ups, sit-ups, jump roping and a
little light lifting with a curl bar. Hardly a recipe for success in
the high-energy competition found in the world of college basketball.
Crandall, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs in at 200 lbs, knows he's
got some work to do to make the squad. Crandall says that he's
"pretty slow right now, pretty tight . . . I'm not even close to
being in shape, but I think I'll be close to where I was in a month
or two." Currently, Crandall is working with Sun Devils strength
coach Rich Wenner, working on regaining his shooting touch and is
also helping out with a summer camp for high school players at his
high school alma mater, Mountain View.
Although his decision to dedicate two years to a mission may have
been a temporary set-back for his athletic career, Crandall is very
happy that he made the choice to go and serve. Crandall spoke of the
opportunity to help people change their lives. "It's just good to
have the people there and have them make a change in their lives,
make a commitment," Crandall said. In addition, after watching his
older brothers go and serve on their missions, he also knew that
serving a mission would help him become a better person. "I saw what
going on a mission did for them, how it changed their lives," he
said. Now Crandall hopes to channel his energy and enthusiasm for
change into helping create a better ASU basketball team.
Source:
Crandall rediscovers basketball
(Phoenix) AZ Republic 23Jun01 S2
By Don Ketchum: The Arizona Republic
ASU guard ends Mormon mission
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