Tag: James Graham

A big-time Wisconsin in-state class of 2020 target intends to transfer from Maryland

A big-time Wisconsin in-state class of 2020 target intends to transfer from Maryland

Wisconsin basketball’s class of 2020 finished the recruiting cycle ranked No. 34 in the nation and No. 5 in the Big Ten. The class ended up including Johnny Davis, Ben Carlson, Steven Crowl, Lorne Bowman and Jordan Davis. It’s early in the 2021-22 season and we’re already seeing the group make a massive impact on the court—Jonathan Davis obviously being the most notable of those commits.

One of Wisconsin’s targets in the class was Milwaukee native James Graham, a four-star recruit who ended up committing to Maryland.

Related: Twitter reacts to Brad Davison’s career night, Wisconsin’s win over Georgia Tech

Well, his time at Maryland didn’t last long as Graham tweeted yesterday his intention to transfer.

Graham held offers from teams including Wisconsin, Maryland, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Oregon and Xavier. He averaged 4.6 minutes per game, 1.3 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.1 assists in limited time over a year-plus with the Terrapins.

We’ll now see if Wisconsin pursues the former four-star recruit in the transfer portal.

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Rivals ranks Wisconsin outside of the five best coaching jobs in the Big Ten

Four days ago Rivals’ Dan McDonald listed, in order, the best men’s basketball head coaching jobs in the Big Ten Conference…

Four days ago Rivals’ Dan McDonald listed, in order, the best men’s basketball head coaching jobs in the Big Ten Conference.

His top-5 are Indiana at No. 1, Ohio State at No. 2, Michigan at No. 3, Michigan State at No. 4 and Maryland at No. 5.

Then, coming in at No. 6 is the Wisconsin basketball program.

Here’s what he had to say about the Badgers’ coaching job:

“Making calls to different college coaches and scouts in preparing this list, the one response that kept coming up was, “You know what’s a really underrated job? Wisconsin.” It’s hard to disagree. Badgers fans love their team, they always win and the state produces some pretty good players that like to stay home. Plus, as a college town, Madison gets rave reviews.”

Though Greg Gard and company recently lost out on in-state four-star 2021 small forward James Graham to the Maryland Terrapins, McDonald is spot on here about the program, its winning history, its ability to keep players in-state and the overwhelming fan support year-after-year.

Maybe the program isn’t a blue blood national title contender every year (though they may be this season), but in arguably the nation’s best overall basketball conference the No. 6 slot seems right for the program.

Four-star 2021 SF James Graham commits to a Big Ten rival

James Graham will stay in the Big Ten, but not be a Wisconsin Badger

The Badgers lost out on a 2021 target this afternoon when SF James Graham announced his decision earlier than we were expecting. Initially, Graham said he would commit on Monday, then pushed that date back to this coming Friday. Instead of waiting until the end of the week, the four-star prospect felt confident enough to make his decision today.

Choosing between Auburn, Wisconsin, Maryland, and Memphis, Graham proved the 247 Sports crystal ball predictions correct in choosing the Maryland Terrapins.

The top-50 forward will face Wisconsin in the conference season after the Badgers targeted the Wisconsin Playground Club star.

What is Maryland getting in Graham? The Wisconsin PGC stud feels like the modern forward. He runs the floor with ease, can pull up from anywhere on the hardwood, and finishes with authority at the rim. At Nicolet High School in Milwaukee also showed flashes of his passing ability out a face-up or post-up during his junior year.

His handles still have room to improve, but in his junior year he showed the ability to create for himself with high-level footwork either with his back to the basket or on the perimeter. The next step for Graham, as is the next step for many high school juniors, is adding strength in the weight room in order to be able to grind at the next level.

Maryland lands their third 2021 commit and now has the third-best class in the Big Ten according to 247Sports.

A top 2021 Wisconsin basketball target pushes back his commitment date

James Graham will make his decision later this week

Just days after 2021 Wisconsin target James Graham announced his top four schools, the small forward has decided to push back his commitment date from yesterday until this Friday.

The final four consists of Auburn, Maryland, Memphis, and Wisconsin. Although Maryland and Auburn seem to be in the drivers seat, with a number of 247Sports insiders projecting Graham to the Terrapins, pushing back his commitment date further opens the door.

“I just want to make sure I find the right spot for me and I feel I need a little bit more time,” Graham told Brian Snow of 247Sports. 

Whoever lands the Wisconsin native is getting one of the fastest rising players in the class of 2021.

The 6-8, athletic forward has a sweet stroke from the outside that forces defenses to step out and respect him. Either as a catch-and-shoot threat, or getting in his bag off the dribble, Graham has excellent range and a high release point on his jumper. The Wisconsin PGC stud feels like the modern forward. He runs the floor with ease, can pull up from anywhere on the hardwood, and finishes with authority at the rim. The Nicolet star also showed flashes of his passing ability out a face-up or post-up during his junior year.

Stay tuned on Friday to see where Graham ends up.

A key 2021 Wisconsin basketball target sets his decision day and his final four schools

One of the fastest rising players in the class of 2021 has narrowed his decision down to just four schools, and set the date and time for his commitment. James Graham III, who has exploded on the Wisconsin AAU scene over the past year with Wisconsin …

One of the fastest rising players in the class of 2021 has narrowed his decision down to just four schools, and set the date and time for his commitment.

James Graham III, who has exploded on the Wisconsin AAU scene over the past year with Wisconsin Playground Club, is set to make a decision on Monday, August 17 at 10 AM central time according to his Twitter.

The Badgers are joined by Auburn, Maryland, and Memphis in the 6-8 small forward’s final four.

Graham is a 6-8 SF with a versatile skill set. The Milwaukee native plays for one of the top Wisconsin club programs in the state in Wisconsin Playground, and has already had an impressive start to his summer circuit.

According to Movement Hoops, Graham averaged 21 points per contest and hit 47 threes for Nicolet as a junior en route to a 22-3 overall record.

Graham has risen all the way up to No. 57 in the 247Sports 2021 class rankings.

The 6-8, athletic forward has a sweet stroke from the outside that forces defenses to step out and respect him. Either as a catch-and-shoot threat, or getting in his bag off the dribble, Graham has excellent range and a high release point on his jumper. The Wisconsin PGC stud feels like the modern forward. He runs the floor with ease, can pull up from anywhere on the hardwood, and finishes with authority at the rim. The Nicolet star also showed flashes of his passing ability out a face-up or post-up during his junior year.

In terms of his recruitment, Maryland is the heavy 247Sports “crystal ball” favorite. Seven 247Sports analysts have all projected that Graham ends up with the Terrapins.

Wisconsin fans should stay tuned on Monday morning for a decision from one of the top players in the Badger state.

 

2021 four-star SF James Graham has Wisconsin in his top 9

Graham has trimmed his list down to nine schools

[lawrence-newsletter]2021 SF James Graham has been among the fastest rising recruits in the nation, and the Wisconsin native trimmed his list down to just nine schools on Monday evening. The Badgers were on that final list.

Graham’s full top nine are as follows: Auburn, Florida State, Georgetown, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Marquette, Memphis, Vanderbilt, and Maryland.

For a full breakdown of the 6-8 SF, check out our BadgersWire breakdown of his game: https://badgerswire.usatoday.com/2020/07/10/what-2021-badger-target-james-graham-would-bring-to-madison/

Michigan State Basketball makes Top-9 for 2021 4-star F James Graham III

MSU Basketball has made the top-9 for the recruitment of 4-star forward James Graham III.

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Michigan State Basketball and head coach Tom Izzo seem to have narrowed down their 2021 recruiting search down to two final, high-profile players in Jaden Akins and James Graham III. Interestingly enough, both players released their final choices for their recruitment at the exact same time on Monday, and MSU made the final cut for both players. For 4-star forward James Graham III, the Spartans made his top-9.

Graham is a 6’8″ combo forward who would be a versatile, lengthy addition to the 2021 recruiting class. His top-9 shaped out like this:

  • Michigan State
  • Auburn
  • Maryland
  • Memphis
  • Florida State
  • Marquette
  • Wisconsin
  • Vanderbilt
  • Georgetown

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Wisconsin basketball 2021 target James Graham teases a Monday announcement

The Badger target will make an announcement on Monday

James Graham is one of the nation’s hottest recruits over the past few months, and Wisconsin has been a key player in the recruiting battle for his services. The 6-8 SF has a do-it-all game, and has been tearing up the Badger state on the club circuit after an impressive junior season at Nicolet High School in Milwaukee.

Graham teased fans on Twitter today that something was coming tomorrow.

According to multiple insiders, including 247Sports insider Evan Flood, Graham is likely cutting his list of schools down tomorrow, and the Badgers hope to be on that shortened list.

The 2021 four-star holds a number of high-major offers from the likes of Florida State, Memphis, Michigan State, and Maryland. Wisconsin jumped in on the later side with an offer on July 9, but given the in-state connection there is reason to believe that the Badgers could be in the mix if and when Graham shortens his list.

MSU Basketball to have bi-weekly meetings with 2021 4-star F James Graham III

Michigan State will reportedly continue to have bi-weekly meetings with James Graham III until he makes his recruiting decision.

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Michigan State Basketball is still courting 2021 4-star forward James Graham III, and it looks like they are ready to settle in for the long-haul with his recruiting process. According to Justin Thind of Rivals, Graham met with Tom Izzo and the Spartans coaching staff on Tuesday, and the result of that meeting was an acknowledgment that Graham will continue to meet with the Izzo on a bi-weekly basis until he makes his recruiting decision.

According to Thind, Graham was also very clear that Izzo has not urged him whatsoever to speed up his decision timeline, so it definitely seems like the Spartans are content to wait for Graham. As far as 2021 goes, Michigan State is also deep in the recruiting process for point guard Jaden Akins.

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Michigan State Basketball to meet with 2021 4-star F James Graham III on Monday

Michigan State and Tom Izzo will virtually meet with James Graham III on Monday.

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Michigan State Basketball and Tom Izzo have already put together an impressive 2021 recruiting class with the additions of Max Christie and Pierre Brooks (and Emoni Bates could still join that class as well), and now they will look to round that class out. According to Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers, Tom Izzo and his staff will meet virtually with 4-star forward James Graham III to discuss his recruitment to Michigan State on Monday.

It seems as though the last recruiting spot for 2021 is coming down to two players. Graham is one of those targets and the other would be Jaden Akins. I think both players would be a great fit with Izzo and the Spartans but it does seem like Graham might fit slightly more of a need for MSU. Akins is a point guard, and in 2021 MSU will also have AJ Hoggard and Pierre Brooks at that position, and hypothetically will still have Rocket Watts there as well unless he makes an early jump to the pros. Graham on the other hand can play both forward positions and would fit nicely next to Bates in the forward slot if Bates does reclassify.

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