Joe Crawford, Los Angeles Johnny Vy/NBAE/Getty Images

NEW YORK, March 27, 2009 – The New York Knicks today signed Los Angeles D-Fenders guard Joe Crawford, making him the 18th GATORADE Call-Up of the 2008-09 NBA Development League season. Crawford joins fellow former NBA D-Leaguer Courtney Sims on the Knicks roster.

Crawford, 6-5, has played in 43 games for the D-Fenders this season, averaging 20.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steal. He has scored in double figures in 42 games, scoring 30 or more points on four occasions and netting a D-Fenders season-high 44 points in a 110-100 loss to the Utah Flash on Jan. 9.

Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round (58th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft, Crawford played with the Lakers during the 2008 preseason before being waived on Oct. 22, 2008, and joining the Lakers’ NBA D-League affiliate D-Fenders.

A four-year contributor at Kentucky, Crawford averaged 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists during his 127-game NCAA career.

Crawford is expected to join the Knicks today and be available when the team hosts the New Orleans Hornets at Madison Square Garden tonight.