Wadleigh Head Coach Dies Suddenly

On Sunday morning, the New York City basketball community woke up to the shocking news that Wadleigh HS Head Coach Mike Crump passed away.

Always jovial and outspoken, Crump was beloved and remembered as being passionate about his team, his school and his community.

"He was just a great guy," said a shaken Cardozo Head Coach Ron Naclerio."[When I heard the news] I called him, praying that someone would pick-up and say he was just in the hospital and would be fine."

Only 44 years old, Coach Crump died on Saturday of an apparent aneurism according to Naclerio who said he mentored him in the early years of his 12 to 14 year coaching tenure at the Harlem, NY school. "He would call me for advice."

The Harlem coach, who was originally from Queens, NY, was known for working with kids that many people had given up on. "Crump got a lot of kids who were on their second or third chances," said Naclerio. One of his most notable Wadleigh players was 6'7" Malik Thomas who committed to Boston University in 2010. Most recently, Wadleigh alum Trivante Bloodman has been thriving at Mississippi State.

In the spring of 2012, the always animated Crump was the subject of a two-part documentary called "Nothing but Net" on MTV2 in conjunction with Douglass High School (OK).

Coach Crump's final game was against Wings Academy. Wings Head Coach Billy Turnage posted on social media shortly after hearing the news, "I just coached against him and his Wadleigh Tiger team on Friday evening and as usual we were laughing and joking both before and after the game. I'm really at a loss for words right now."

Coach Crump is survived by a daughter and a son who played for Wadleigh two years ago.

Check with the NYCHoops.net message board for funeral arrangements when they become available.