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Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU Men’s Hoops Adds Former NEC Rookie Of The Year Juan Cranford Jr.
April 28, 2026 | Men's Basketball
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Cranford Led EKU In Scoring In 2025-26; Earned NEC Rookie Of The Year In 2024-25 With Saint Francis
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University men's basketball program and head coach Todd Simon announced the signing of transfer guard Juan Cranford Jr. A 6-foot-4 rising junior, Cranford spent the 2025-26 campaign with Eastern Kentucky after beginning his collegiate career at Saint Francis. Appearing in all 32 games for the Colonels with 29 starts, Cranford led Eastern Kentucky in scoring, averaging 12.1 points per game.
Cranford was the top scorer this past season for the Colonels, totaling 386 points over the course of the season. He did most of his damage with a team-leading 81 three-pointers, shooting 36.3-percent from behind the arc on 223 attempts. He supplemented the work from deep with a 40.7-percent mark from the field and 79.6-percent clip at the free throw line. Averaging 25.9 minutes per game, Cranford added 81 rebounds, 52 assists, 22 steals and four blocks to his stat line in 2025-26.
Prior to his time with Eastern Kentucky, Cranford began his collegiate career at Saint Francis in 2024-25. As a freshman, Cranford racked up a list of accolades, being named the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year, NEC All-Rookie Team and NEC Tournament MVP. For the season, he averaged 10.2 points per game, including 57 three-pointers and a 39.3-percent mark from deep over 33 games and 22 starts. As for the postseason, Cranford led Saint Francis on a tournament run, capturing the NEC Tournament title and a bid in the NCAA Tournament. During the NEC Tournament run, Cranford averaged 15 points per game and shot 46-percent from the field. As for the NCAA Tournament game, playing Alabama State in the First Four, Cranford tallied 18 points, eight rebounds and five three-pointers.
"Juan is a skilled, strong guard that has a history of impacting winning," said Simon. "Not only do defenses have to account for him from three, he has the ability to play off the dribble, post guards and make plays for others. He has led a team to the NCAA tournament and has a history of playing well in big games."
Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons' men's basketball team on social media
Twitter - @BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUMBB
Instagram - 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsumhoops'
Facebook - 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube - 'Falcon Athletics'
Cranford was the top scorer this past season for the Colonels, totaling 386 points over the course of the season. He did most of his damage with a team-leading 81 three-pointers, shooting 36.3-percent from behind the arc on 223 attempts. He supplemented the work from deep with a 40.7-percent mark from the field and 79.6-percent clip at the free throw line. Averaging 25.9 minutes per game, Cranford added 81 rebounds, 52 assists, 22 steals and four blocks to his stat line in 2025-26.
Prior to his time with Eastern Kentucky, Cranford began his collegiate career at Saint Francis in 2024-25. As a freshman, Cranford racked up a list of accolades, being named the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year, NEC All-Rookie Team and NEC Tournament MVP. For the season, he averaged 10.2 points per game, including 57 three-pointers and a 39.3-percent mark from deep over 33 games and 22 starts. As for the postseason, Cranford led Saint Francis on a tournament run, capturing the NEC Tournament title and a bid in the NCAA Tournament. During the NEC Tournament run, Cranford averaged 15 points per game and shot 46-percent from the field. As for the NCAA Tournament game, playing Alabama State in the First Four, Cranford tallied 18 points, eight rebounds and five three-pointers.
"Juan is a skilled, strong guard that has a history of impacting winning," said Simon. "Not only do defenses have to account for him from three, he has the ability to play off the dribble, post guards and make plays for others. He has led a team to the NCAA tournament and has a history of playing well in big games."
Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons' men's basketball team on social media
Twitter - @BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUMBB
Instagram - 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsumhoops'
Facebook - 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube - 'Falcon Athletics'
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