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Imagining what Furman basketball would be like if Stephen Croone had transferred, or had both he and current head coach Bob Richey does not return for the Niko Medved era would likely provide a very different. Richey, who was the coach responsible for bringing Croone to Greenville, was the only assistant retained by Medved, and that likely played a big part of Croone deciding to return.
Croone, a native of Covington, GA., saw more bad than good in his time suiting up for the Paladins as the starting point guard. Croone was the player that bridged the close of the Jeff Jackson era to the new era, which was where the resurgence would begin for the Paladins in the second season under the direction of Niko Medved.
It comes with little surprise, then, that Croone is set to be honored with a special ceremony on Sept. 13, 2024, on the eve of Furman's home football game with Stetson. His importance to Furman's basketball program can't be overlooked or underestimated.
The 2015-16 SoCon Player of the Year was one of the first one to embrace in a vision of what the program could become from a place Furman hoops program had been for so long, which was the doldrums of the Southern Conference.
Croone, along with Larry Wideman, Kris Acox and Kendrec Ferrara, would be part of that foundation that would go on to help the Paladins start to build something special in Greenville.
Later in Croone's career, players like Devin Sibley, Geoff Beans, Daniel Fowler and John Davis III would join alongside Croone in his final two seasons in Greenville, helping the Paladins turn the program completely around.
The 2016-17 season, which was the first after Croone graduated, the Paladins claimed a share of the regular-season SoCon Title along with UNCG and East Tennessee State. It was Furman's first regular-season title since the 1990-91 season.
From the 1979-80 season, which was the last one that the Paladins had last made it to the Big Dance as the Southern Conference champions until the start of Croone's sophomore season in 2013-14, the Paladins had just 12 winning campaigns in its previous 34, which included just two 20-win campaigns. The 2015 run to the title marked the first time since 2002 that the Paladins had made it to the championship game.
Bob Richey can relate to how tough it was to stay at Furman during that time. Richey, the assistant coach at that time that was responsible for convincing Croone to come to Greenville, wasn't entirely sure he'd be retained under new head coach Niko Medved. Richey convinced Croone to come to Greenville among several NCAA Division I offers. A supremely gifted athlete and scorer, Croone had options after the decision was made to move in a different direction following just a seven-win season in 2012-13 campaign.
In Croone's first season with the program, Furman the Paladins would finish the season losing 15 out of 18 SoCon games and when he suffered a foot injury late in the campaign, and actually was part of a team that was so beat up and injured that in several games during the season, that only eight Paladins were dressed for action.
Croone would be the highest career scorer for Paladin basketball in 13 years, since Karim Souchu went over 2,000 points in his career from 1999-2003.
It was clear that Croone was a gem of a recruiting find for current head coach Bob Richey early in his career, as he was a part of some pretty bad basketball teams. Heading into the 2015 Southern Conference Tournament, Croone had been a part of just 23 wins over three seasons, as the Paladins had posted a 23-66 record over three seasons entering the 2015 SoCon Tournament.
Croone became the first Paladin to garner three All-SoCon citations since Jonathan Moore (1978-80), and with his 40-point effort during his sophomore campaign in an 86-83 win over Liberty on Dec. 20, 2013, he became the first Paladin to score 40 or more points in a game since Roy Simpson accomplished the feat in 1972 against East Carolina. In 177-career games for the Paladins, Croone averaged 16.0 PPG.
Croone would lead the Paladins all the way to the SoCon championship game against Wofford during his junior campaign in 2014-15. Croone, a native of Covington, GA., was the centerpiece of what was a magical run to the title game, becoming the first No. 10 seed to ever finish the
Croone, a native of Covington, GA., saw more bad than good in his time suiting up for the Paladins as the starting point guard. Croone was the player that bridged the close of the Jeff Jackson era to the new era, which was where the resurgence would begin for the Paladins in the second season under the direction of Niko Medved.
It comes with little surprise, then, that Croone is set to be honored with a special ceremony on Sept. 13, 2024, on the eve of Furman's home football game with Stetson. His importance to Furman's basketball program can't be overlooked or underestimated.
The 2015-16 SoCon Player of the Year was one of the first one to embrace in a vision of what the program could become from a place Furman hoops program had been for so long, which was the doldrums of the Southern Conference.
Croone, along with Larry Wideman, Kris Acox and Kendrec Ferrara, would be part of that foundation that would go on to help the Paladins start to build something special in Greenville.
Later in Croone's career, players like Devin Sibley, Geoff Beans, Daniel Fowler and John Davis III would join alongside Croone in his final two seasons in Greenville, helping the Paladins turn the program completely around.
The 2016-17 season, which was the first after Croone graduated, the Paladins claimed a share of the regular-season SoCon Title along with UNCG and East Tennessee State. It was Furman's first regular-season title since the 1990-91 season.
From the 1979-80 season, which was the last one that the Paladins had last made it to the Big Dance as the Southern Conference champions until the start of Croone's sophomore season in 2013-14, the Paladins had just 12 winning campaigns in its previous 34, which included just two 20-win campaigns. The 2015 run to the title marked the first time since 2002 that the Paladins had made it to the championship game.
Bob Richey can relate to how tough it was to stay at Furman during that time. Richey, the assistant coach at that time that was responsible for convincing Croone to come to Greenville, wasn't entirely sure he'd be retained under new head coach Niko Medved. Richey convinced Croone to come to Greenville among several NCAA Division I offers. A supremely gifted athlete and scorer, Croone had options after the decision was made to move in a different direction following just a seven-win season in 2012-13 campaign.
In Croone's first season with the program, Furman the Paladins would finish the season losing 15 out of 18 SoCon games and when he suffered a foot injury late in the campaign, and actually was part of a team that was so beat up and injured that in several games during the season, that only eight Paladins were dressed for action.
Croone would be the highest career scorer for Paladin basketball in 13 years, since Karim Souchu went over 2,000 points in his career from 1999-2003.
It was clear that Croone was a gem of a recruiting find for current head coach Bob Richey early in his career, as he was a part of some pretty bad basketball teams. Heading into the 2015 Southern Conference Tournament, Croone had been a part of just 23 wins over three seasons, as the Paladins had posted a 23-66 record over three seasons entering the 2015 SoCon Tournament.
Croone became the first Paladin to garner three All-SoCon citations since Jonathan Moore (1978-80), and with his 40-point effort during his sophomore campaign in an 86-83 win over Liberty on Dec. 20, 2013, he became the first Paladin to score 40 or more points in a game since Roy Simpson accomplished the feat in 1972 against East Carolina. In 177-career games for the Paladins, Croone averaged 16.0 PPG.
Croone would lead the Paladins all the way to the SoCon championship game against Wofford during his junior campaign in 2014-15. Croone, a native of Covington, GA., was the centerpiece of what was a magical run to the title game, becoming the first No. 10 seed to ever finish the
Since the start of the 2015 Southern Conference Tournament, the Paladins have won 201 games, with Croone being a big part of the first 22 wins of those 201 wins, stretching back from the start of that tournament to the end of his senior season.
His final season as a Paladin would come to an end in the second round of the CIT, with an 80-72 loss to Louisiana-Monroe at Timmons Arena. It would be a game that would ultimately see Croone end up scoring 29 points in his career finale for the Paladins, finishing with 1,936 points, which at the time was fifth in program history. The Paladins finished the 2015-16 season with a 19-16 record, which included an 11-7 mark in league action, which was good enough for a third-place finish.
His final season as a Paladin would come to an end in the second round of the CIT, with an 80-72 loss to Louisiana-Monroe at Timmons Arena. It would be a game that would ultimately see Croone end up scoring 29 points in his career finale for the Paladins, finishing with 1,936 points, which at the time was fifth in program history. The Paladins finished the 2015-16 season with a 19-16 record, which included an 11-7 mark in league action, which was good enough for a third-place finish.
At the end of his junior season, Croone and his teammates would flip a switch. Furman opened the 2015 Southern Conference Tournament in Asheville as the No. 10 seed, and opened with a 73-56 win over No. 7 seed The Citadel.
The junior guard would pace the Paladins with 27 points on a 9-of-16 shooting performance in the tournament opener against the Bulldogs. He also would finish the contest by going 3-of-7 from three-point land.
The junior guard would pace the Paladins with 27 points on a 9-of-16 shooting performance in the tournament opener against the Bulldogs. He also would finish the contest by going 3-of-7 from three-point land.
In the quarterfinal round, the Croone and the Paladins would face off against No. 2 seed Chattanooga, who at the time were led by head coach Will Wade. The Paladins managed a 69-67 win over the Mocs, and that would be the game folks around the league would begin to raise their collective eyebrows.
In Croone's freshman season in 2012-13, the Mocs had beaten the Paladins 83-49 at the Roundhouse late in the season, and Croone was one of seven players that dressed in the Paladins late in the contest.
The two-point win showed just how far the Paladins had come in two years as a basketball program under the leadership of Medved, as he had entrusted Croone with a major leadership role in that rebuilding project. In that game as a freshman, Croone had tied with former Paladin big man Colin Reddick for top scoring honors with 12 points, brought down nine rebounds, dished out three assists, blocked two shots and recorded a steal before exiting late in the game due to cramps.
Two years later in his first win of his career against Chattanooga (0-6 vs. Mocs prior to 2015 quarterfinal game), Croone finished off a workmanlike effort, and teaming with SoCon Freshman of the Year Devin Sibley, combined to lead the Paladins across the finish line against the Mocs, as the backcourt duo finished with 29 points (Sibley 16 pts, Croone 13 pts) and 10 rebounds (Sibley 6 rebs, Croone 4 rebs) to lead Furman past the Mocs in easily what was Furman's most-impressive win of the 2014-15 season up to that point.
In the semifinals, Croone delivered wherever the Paladins needed him to, but it was most notably his efforts on the backboards that was most impressive. In what was a 52-49 slugfest win, Croone led the Paladins with 17 points and a remarkable 14 rebounds in the three-point win over the Bears. His effort helped lead the Paladins to the championship game for the first time since 2002.
In Croone's freshman season in 2012-13, the Mocs had beaten the Paladins 83-49 at the Roundhouse late in the season, and Croone was one of seven players that dressed in the Paladins late in the contest.
The two-point win showed just how far the Paladins had come in two years as a basketball program under the leadership of Medved, as he had entrusted Croone with a major leadership role in that rebuilding project. In that game as a freshman, Croone had tied with former Paladin big man Colin Reddick for top scoring honors with 12 points, brought down nine rebounds, dished out three assists, blocked two shots and recorded a steal before exiting late in the game due to cramps.
Two years later in his first win of his career against Chattanooga (0-6 vs. Mocs prior to 2015 quarterfinal game), Croone finished off a workmanlike effort, and teaming with SoCon Freshman of the Year Devin Sibley, combined to lead the Paladins across the finish line against the Mocs, as the backcourt duo finished with 29 points (Sibley 16 pts, Croone 13 pts) and 10 rebounds (Sibley 6 rebs, Croone 4 rebs) to lead Furman past the Mocs in easily what was Furman's most-impressive win of the 2014-15 season up to that point.
In the semifinals, Croone delivered wherever the Paladins needed him to, but it was most notably his efforts on the backboards that was most impressive. In what was a 52-49 slugfest win, Croone led the Paladins with 17 points and a remarkable 14 rebounds in the three-point win over the Bears. His effort helped lead the Paladins to the championship game for the first time since 2002.
In the title game against top seed Wofford, the Paladins would end up falling in a 67-64 heartbreaker, and despite losing top big man Kris Acox in the first half, the Paladins would be in the game the entire way, with the Terriers never able to establish a comfortable lead. In the title game loss to the Terriers, Croone finished with a team-leading 14 points, five rebounds, one assist and had one steal.
All told, in his junior season, Croone would find himself in double figures in 29 of the 31 games he saw action in last season, including all four games in the Southern Conference Tournament.
Croone bested the 20-point mark in nine games in 2014-15, and scored 30 or more points twice, with a season-high 33 points coming in the Paladins' SoCon-opening win over Samford. Croone had 31 points in an overtime loss to Chattanooga in early February at Timmons Arena.
In his senior season, Croone would help lead the Paladins to 19 wins, which was its second-highest win total since the 1990-91 season and first postseason invite for the program since the 1991 NIT.
Croone was named the Unanimous Southern Conference Player of the Year just prior to the Southern Conference Tournament, and his importance to the Paladins in his final season on the hardwood was paramount.
Despite the early part of the season nursing a thumb injury, Croone battled through the ailment and by the time Southern Conference play came around, was ready to make his presence known. It was the first time in the history of the program that a Furman player has been named unanimous coaches and media Player of the Year, and he became the first Paladin to garner the award since Chuck Vincent in 1998.
In conference play, Croone stepped his game up to another level, averaging 19.2 PPG in league games and was tied for first in scoring in league games, along with VMI's QJ Peterson. Croone's affect was no doubt important in four of the biggest home wins of the season against Wofford, East Tennessee State and Mercer, and maybe four of the biggest conference wins in the history of Timmons Arena. With that being put in perspective, three of the four teams won at least 19 games on the season, and the other one, which won 15, was the league's defending champion.
In the win over Wofford, which helped the Paladins snap a six-game skid to the Terriers, Croone had just two points in the opening half but posted 15 in the second frame. No one basket was more important than the final one--a tip-in of a Devin Sibley miss at the buzzer--as Furman posted its first win over Wofford since Jan. 14, 2013.
Croone scored nine of the Paladins' final 11 points in the contest, as Furman closed the game on an 11-2 run to capture their first win over the Terriers of the Medved era.
In an early 70-55 win over eventual Southern Conference regular-season title winner Chattanooga, Croone helped combine with backcourt mate Devin Sibley to score 35 of Furman's 70 points. The senior from Covington, GA, posted 17 points, four assists, three steals and three boards in the win. It was one of Furman's biggest conference wins in recent memory.
Against a good East Tennessee State team under first-year head coach Steve Forbes in the regular-season, it was Croone and Sibley carving up the ETSU zone like an old Thanksgiving turkey, with the duo combining for 41 of the Paladins' 74 points in that win.
The win against ETSU saw Croone finish the day with 21 points, went a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe and dished out three helpers in the win.
Croone would save his best performances for his lasts in front of the home folks, including the regular-season finale against Mercer, helping the Paladins past the Bears with a season-high 31 points in the 85-74 win over Mercer.
Against Louisiana-Lafayette in the 80-72 second-round loss, Croone went out with a strong performance posting 29 points. All told, in his final season in the Purple and White, he recorded double figure scoring games in 31 of 35 games in his final season for the Paladins, and for his career, finished with 87 double figure scoring games in 94 outings.
Croone is one of those players that comes along maybe once every 20 years at some mid-major programs, while at others they come along with more regularity. However, I think coach Medved summed it up best just after Furman's emotional win over Mercer when he said. "I can replace points, rebounds, assists, blocks, but I can't replace the people these guys are."
Not only was Croone significant for what he did as a scorer, but also what he did on the defensive end of the floor and dishing out the basketball. For his four years in Greenville, Croone was truly a game-changer in every sense. In terms of what he could and the things he could do to affect a given basketball game, there have been few like Stephen Croone come through the doors of Timmons Arena in recent seasons.
No one will forget those moments he provided the Paladin faithful, including the demonstrative dunk against The Citadel as a sophomore, or the 40-point effort against Liberty.
Croone will rightfully see his name always remembered in the history of Furman basketball, as he will be honored Friday night in a ceremony in downtown Greenville at Larkins on the River Restaurant.
Following his career in Greenville, Croone spent one season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA D-League before playing professionally overseas in Finland, Bulgaria and Georgia.
All told, in his junior season, Croone would find himself in double figures in 29 of the 31 games he saw action in last season, including all four games in the Southern Conference Tournament.
Croone bested the 20-point mark in nine games in 2014-15, and scored 30 or more points twice, with a season-high 33 points coming in the Paladins' SoCon-opening win over Samford. Croone had 31 points in an overtime loss to Chattanooga in early February at Timmons Arena.
In his senior season, Croone would help lead the Paladins to 19 wins, which was its second-highest win total since the 1990-91 season and first postseason invite for the program since the 1991 NIT.
Croone was named the Unanimous Southern Conference Player of the Year just prior to the Southern Conference Tournament, and his importance to the Paladins in his final season on the hardwood was paramount.
Despite the early part of the season nursing a thumb injury, Croone battled through the ailment and by the time Southern Conference play came around, was ready to make his presence known. It was the first time in the history of the program that a Furman player has been named unanimous coaches and media Player of the Year, and he became the first Paladin to garner the award since Chuck Vincent in 1998.
In conference play, Croone stepped his game up to another level, averaging 19.2 PPG in league games and was tied for first in scoring in league games, along with VMI's QJ Peterson. Croone's affect was no doubt important in four of the biggest home wins of the season against Wofford, East Tennessee State and Mercer, and maybe four of the biggest conference wins in the history of Timmons Arena. With that being put in perspective, three of the four teams won at least 19 games on the season, and the other one, which won 15, was the league's defending champion.
In the win over Wofford, which helped the Paladins snap a six-game skid to the Terriers, Croone had just two points in the opening half but posted 15 in the second frame. No one basket was more important than the final one--a tip-in of a Devin Sibley miss at the buzzer--as Furman posted its first win over Wofford since Jan. 14, 2013.
Croone scored nine of the Paladins' final 11 points in the contest, as Furman closed the game on an 11-2 run to capture their first win over the Terriers of the Medved era.
In an early 70-55 win over eventual Southern Conference regular-season title winner Chattanooga, Croone helped combine with backcourt mate Devin Sibley to score 35 of Furman's 70 points. The senior from Covington, GA, posted 17 points, four assists, three steals and three boards in the win. It was one of Furman's biggest conference wins in recent memory.
Against a good East Tennessee State team under first-year head coach Steve Forbes in the regular-season, it was Croone and Sibley carving up the ETSU zone like an old Thanksgiving turkey, with the duo combining for 41 of the Paladins' 74 points in that win.
The win against ETSU saw Croone finish the day with 21 points, went a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe and dished out three helpers in the win.
Croone would save his best performances for his lasts in front of the home folks, including the regular-season finale against Mercer, helping the Paladins past the Bears with a season-high 31 points in the 85-74 win over Mercer.
Against Louisiana-Lafayette in the 80-72 second-round loss, Croone went out with a strong performance posting 29 points. All told, in his final season in the Purple and White, he recorded double figure scoring games in 31 of 35 games in his final season for the Paladins, and for his career, finished with 87 double figure scoring games in 94 outings.
Croone is one of those players that comes along maybe once every 20 years at some mid-major programs, while at others they come along with more regularity. However, I think coach Medved summed it up best just after Furman's emotional win over Mercer when he said. "I can replace points, rebounds, assists, blocks, but I can't replace the people these guys are."
Not only was Croone significant for what he did as a scorer, but also what he did on the defensive end of the floor and dishing out the basketball. For his four years in Greenville, Croone was truly a game-changer in every sense. In terms of what he could and the things he could do to affect a given basketball game, there have been few like Stephen Croone come through the doors of Timmons Arena in recent seasons.
No one will forget those moments he provided the Paladin faithful, including the demonstrative dunk against The Citadel as a sophomore, or the 40-point effort against Liberty.
Croone will rightfully see his name always remembered in the history of Furman basketball, as he will be honored Friday night in a ceremony in downtown Greenville at Larkins on the River Restaurant.
Following his career in Greenville, Croone spent one season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA D-League before playing professionally overseas in Finland, Bulgaria and Georgia.
Croone is among five inductees into the Furman Hall-of-Fame to be honored Friday night at latest Furman athletics enshrinement ceremony. He will be joined by former women's soccer coach Brian Lee ('93), cross country and track standout Troy Reeder ('18), honorary inductee and benefactor Chris Borch ('78), and Allie Buchalski ('18), who is a member of the 2023 enshrinement class, among those that will be honored Friday evening.
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