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Craft enjoys Chicago-area homecoming in all-star game

Kam Craft walked away from his final high school game with a lot of memories - and Jordan gear.

After playing three seasons at Buffalo Grove, Craft announced on Aug. 11 he was transferring to The Skill Factory in Atlanta. His decision sent shock waves throughout the Chicagoland basketball scene, especially in the Mid-Suburban League. Craft did get a chance to play one final game near his hometown.

The 6-foot-4 Craft, a four-star recruit committed to Xavier, said he welcomed the added bonus of a homecoming by playing in the Jordan Brand Classic All-Star Game last Friday at Hope Academy in Chicago.

Craft, a guard, scored 9 points, including hitting a 3-pointer, in nearly 15 minutes of play in the prestigious all-star game.

The annual all-star game featured some of the top players in the country, including Illinois recruits Skyy Clark and Ty Rodgers.

"It was an honor to play in the game, and great to be back in Chicago and for my family and trainers to be able to come to the game since they haven't been able to the past two years with COVID and moving away to prep school," Craft said. "It was super cool experience. I got to meet new people and make valuable connections while having fun hooping with some of the best players in the country. I got to room with Ty Rodgers, a former AAU teammate, and see all of my coaches. My favorite part was competing with the top players in the country."

Craft said he received eight tickets to the game, which he handed out to family members and trainers who have helped him. Craft said he walked away from the game with 13 pairs of shoes and a "whole rack of clothes."

Craft, who said his best memory was of winning the Mid-Suburban East title, is one of the all-time best players in Buffalo Grove program history. He scored 1,694 points, averaging 27.1 points and 7.5 rebounds in his junior season. Craft set a program single-season record with 753 points, surpassing the mark set by Brian Coderre in 1983-84.

Craft said he gained valuable insight in his lone season at The Skill Factory that helped his game grow. He said his best memory of his senior season was going to Spain and France.

"I feel that my game improved by playing better players and getting more of a college experience," he said. "My defense improved as well as my pick and roll IQ. I came up late on the national scene, but I believe that regardless of ranking, I was still the same player doing the same things I do now."

  Schaumburg's Vaurice Patterson can only watch as Buffalo Grove's Kam Craft slams his shot home in the first half of varsity basketball at Buffalo Grove High School on Friday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Kam Craft
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