Dylan Craven has been playing basketball ever since he was six-years-old and is still relishing every minute he’s on the hardwood.
Craven, who is a point guard, started to really refine his skills across multiple programs as a youth and teenager playing in both Hamilton and Brantford.
“I grew up playing for the Blessed Sacrament Basketball Club in Hamilton. And then, as I moved to Brantford [and] going into Grade seven, I played for the CIA bounce West AAU team. I was going to play for them in Grade eight as well, but I ended up taking a year to play with the Hamilton team,” Craven said. “I then went to play for what was formerly known as TRC Academy located in Brantford…while playing my ninth-grade year, my tenth-grade year, and my 11th-grade year for St. John’s until I got hurt going into the second semester.”
Despite an injury in his third year, Craven thrived at St. John’s College in Brantford, which has produced many basketball players who have gone on to play at the University level.
“I was definitely upset that I didn’t get to finish that year, but I was on a team with lots of players that were older… [and I learned a lot from them]; with the team we had, I honestly felt that we could have won the city [championship] that year,” Craven explained. “I’d say a highlight there was when I was coming off the injury which helped me get my confidence back before I headed to the United States the following year.”
However, Craven would also be influenced by two coaches in his career, especially during his time in Brantford.
“The very first coach that I came across [here] was coach Jeremie Kayeye, who is currently a coach for the Toronto Metropolitan University men’s basketball program. And from the start…he was very confident in me and my abilities…[and] he was definitely a big influence on me,” stated Craven. “Another person who continues to be a very important influence on me has been coach JR Gallarza. I met him when my brother Liam trained with him. JR has always been there to help me improve as a basketball player and as a person…and has helped me pursue my basketball dreams.”
Another influence for Craven has been his older brother Liam, who is currently a guard for the West Virginia Tech Golden Bears basketball program of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.)
“[I admire him] because of the way he has overcome things…he was the first one to leave home, and that’s something that I struggled with when I first left. I just continue to look up to him when it comes to taking those big steps in life,” said Craven. “We’ve both continued to lean on each other throughout the college basketball journey, helping each other build on our goals and to reach our dreams.”
Craven would then go on to follow his brother’s footsteps, continuing his education in the United States.
“Once COVID restrictions were lifted, my brother did some research on picking a school and he came across the Combine Academy program [in North Carolina.] He went and played there [and] the coaches loved him…and that was the [time] I was at St John’s,” Craven said. “I went to my brother’s graduation, took a look at the school, and immediately knew that was where I needed to be [in order to help me] take the next step to achieving my goals.”
Craven then continued to develop his skills at Combine Academy.
“During my first year, I was on the Combine regional team, and we made it to the Hoop State Tournament, which is the state tournament for private schools. Not only were we not supposed to make that tournament, but we were the underdog going in,” Craven recalled. “We were the last seed…attempting to beat a top seed, and then we ended up losing to our own national team, who went on to win that state tournament. So that was definitely a highlight.”
After two years of success in the classroom (Craven would maintain a 4.0 GPA), and on the court, the point guard would consider his options before accepting a scholarship from Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) of the NJCAA – Division I (National Junior College Athletic Association.)
“My first offer was from Bluefield University [and] my second offer was actually from my brother’s school, West Virginia Tech (WVT). I went to visit WVT… [and] on my way back home I got a call from a coach at SWIC, “ Craven noted. “They did a fantastic job recruiting me and made me feel like this was the place where I wanted to be…they did their due diligence, getting to know me, [and] my family.”
Craven, who will be pursuing a degree in kinesiology, is excited, heading into his first year with the SWIC Blue Storm with some goals in mind.
“The main goal would be a national tournament…not only just to make an appearance, but to make an impact. And for me personally, I want to continue to grow and do the best that I can. [And] a main goal for me is to lead the nation in assists,” Craven stated.
However, Craven has relished his early experience at SWIC and the bond he is forming with his teammates.
“The group has quickly developed a strong chemistry during the summer session [and I believe we] have something really special here,” Craved said. “I feel just by being here for the last [few months], that I’ve already gotten ten times better…adjusting well to campus life and doing the college workouts and also growing more mature in the process.”
