Lachlan Crate Signs with Racer Basketball

Murray State head men's basketball coach Ryan Miller announced the signing of 6-8 guard/forward Lachlan Crate who joins the program for the 2025-26 season as a freshman.

Crate joins the Racers from New Zealand, where he played for a pair of home country teams from 2022-25.

"We are excited to welcome Lachlan Crate to the Murray State men's basketball program," said Miller. "His standout performance for New Zealand at the 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland, highlighted his versatility and high basketball IQ. Lachlan's competitive edge will be a tremendous asset as we aim for success in the Missouri Valley Conference."

Competing at the FIBA U19 tournament in the last week, Crate helped his team from New Zealand finish fourth-place where he scored 10 points and made two steals in a 91-87 defeat to Slovenia.

Crate's progression through the New Zealand basketball program has been steady and impressive.

In two seasons with the Manawatu Jets from 2022-25, Crate appeared in 36 games with an average of 14 minutes played per game with 100 points on field goal shooting of 40 percent. With the Nelson Giants, he appeared in 17 games played with averages of 5.9 points and 2.4 rebounds and had six games if double-figure scoring with a season-high 13 points against the Taranaki Mountain Airs on 6-of-7 from the field.

As a U16 player, Crate was named to the Asia Cup All-Tournament Team after he scored 15.2 points per game and grabbed 3.5 rebounds in six games. In 2024, he was named the Defensive MVP at the New Zealand Footlocker U18 Nationals.

Crate is one of the two New Zealand players that was selected to play in the NBA's Basketball Without Borders Camp during 2025 NBA All-Star weekend.

Follow the Racers on Twitter (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics. Follow Murray State men's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@RacersHoops).

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