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Raptors’ hopeful Drew Crawford wants to belong in NBA, ‘tired of hearing’ he’s on cusp

Crawford has averaged around 20 minutes a game in the pre-season but is a longshot for the 15th and final spot on roster.

Toronto Raptors' Drew Crawford (left) works around San Lorenzo de Almagro's Matias Sandes during the first half of their NBA pre-season game Friday October 14, 2016.

WASHINGTON—On Friday morning, Drew Crawford heard the four words that millions of young basketball players dream of hearing.

“He’s an NBA player,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said of Crawford, one of six players chasing the 15th and final spot on the team’s roster.

The thing is, at 26, undrafted two years ago before getting looks from New Orleans and Orlando, having played in the D-League, then a year overseas before landing in the Raptors training camp, Crawford’s past that.