Everyone needs a little push in life. Sometimes that push can come from within, a coach or a parent. In Kendall Crute’s case it’s a combination of the three.

The North Cobb Christian senior is one of the players in the Class of 2014. Crute currently holds offers from College of Charleston, UAB, Murray State, Georgia State, Kennesaw State, Ohio University, Louisiana Tech, Southern Mississippi and Georgia State.

“I am looking for a school that has a tradition in winning and they want to win,” Crute said. “I want a staff that cares about the person just as much as the basketball player.

“I look for a coaching staff that won’t let me settle and will push me to be great.”

Those attributes are not just talk for Crute. He is always pushing himself to improve his game on and off the court. Since the end of the travel season, Crute has worked his shooting, while tightening up his ball handling, strength and mental approach to the game. These are things that will not only help him in his senior season but also at the next level.

Crute does not only push himself but has a steady push from his father, Kevin, in a way most players may not. The elder Crute harps on his son to work on every aspect of his game in order to become a solid player. However, the part his son enjoys the most is the backseat approach when it comes to being a fan.

“Just to have that connection with my dad in sports really gets me going,” Crute said. “It is invaluable. You can’t put a price on that because every son wants to make his dad proud. He is concerned about me off the court than he is on the court and having that is priceless.”

Crute has picked up some attributes from his father, like playing hard with a lot of energy. His dad once played for Parkview High and has shown his son the newspaper clippings. In their conversations they talk about bringing something to the table other than just scoring. Crute has with his defensive intensity and energy.

“If I can get a few blocks and steals that is going to get me going on the offensive end,” Crute said. “I can get into transition that will carry that momentum throughout the entire game.”

Regardless of which school Crute decides on attending, this is the kind of player they will get.