When it comes to free throws, Crowley is the guy to beat

Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) thinks he’s got a shot at winning a free-throw contest on Capitol Hill this Wednesday, sponsored by the U.S. Olympic Committee. And judging by his form on a few imaginary throws, he might be right.

“I played a lot of basketball as a kid,” the lawmaker told ITK Friday in the Speaker’s Lobby off the House floor, “and on our team, if you didn’t make your free throws, then the coach would keep you at the foul line after practice until you made 10 in a row.” 

To illustrate his point, Crowley started throwing imaginary foul shots in the long wood-paneled hallway. “It’s all in the knees!” he exclaimed, oblivious to the handful of his Democratic colleagues who were looking at him sideways.

Tall and athletically built, Crowley estimated his free-throw percentage was about 80, which means he’ll likely be shooting circles around Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), who last week told ITK he could probably make one in five. 

The showdown kicks off this Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Room 2226 of the Rayburn House Office Building. 

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