Former Wisconsin Badger Steven Crowl spent all of last season on the Salt Lake City Stars, the G-League team for the Utah Jazz. He never had a chance to swing up to the NBA but carried his own down in Salt Lake City. He played in 31 games, averaging over 24 minutes with 6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. However, at the end of the season, the Jazz decided not to give him another contract. He was set off into the night.
Many wondered if this would be the time he finds an opportunity overseas and begins an international career. Crowl could really hold it down in some of the international leagues and probably become a star. He could have even followed Max Klesmit overseas. Klesmit was with him in Salt Lake City last season. However, his agent found him a new opportunity in the NBA, at least for the summer. Crowl signed with the Detroit Pistons on a Summer League deal. Let's dig in.
Steven Crowl (Wisconsin) has agreed to play NBA Summer League with the Detroit Pistons according to his agents Keith Kreiter & Sam Cipriano at Edge Sports.
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) July 8, 2026
The skilled 7-footer started 22 G-League games last season for the Utah Jazz. pic.twitter.com/tDu3i0ImVe
Former Badger Steven Crowl signs a NBA Summer League deal with the Detroit Pistons
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Crowl is a 7-footer with a decent amount of defensive prowess even at the NBA level. He's never really turned into a monster or been a dominant player, even at Wisconsin. However, he knows how to use his size in ways that give him some decent NBA intrigue. This is why there is now a second NBA team that wants to explore his potential.
Sometimes big men take a few years to settle into what the NBA is asking of them, and you can't teach 7-feet tall. Crowl, if he can find a touch and a role in the NBA, could see a career like Micah Potter, another former Badger. Potter is now six seasons into the NBA and is just now seeing some real production. His time with Indiana has been a bit up and down contractually, but he's proven he can be a productive NBA player. Does Crowl have that same potential?
It will take a good summer league for Crowl to prove it. Unlike last season, when Crowl got an Exhibit-10 deal, which almost guaranteed a G-League spot, this year he doesn't have that same luxury. His deal is only for the summer. He will have to prove to the Detroit Pistons that he deserves a deal beyond the summer and can play in the G-League, the Motor City Cruise.
The NBA Summer League tips off today, July 9th, and the Pistons are one of the first teams to tip off at 4:30 CT tonight. Detroit takes on the Philadelphia 76ers, and Crowl will get his first taste of action and first chance to prove he belongs. If this doesn't work out for him, he may truly need to follow Klesmit overseas.
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