It was not a matter of if Wisconsin was going to extend an offer to James Graham, one of the fastest rising players in the class of 2021. It was a matter of when, and that when came yesterday when the Badgers made it official with their offer, the latest in a long list for the Nicolet star.
๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ @WisconsinPGC pic.twitter.com/N9B3jLGj43
— Wisconsin Hoopz (@hoopz_wisconsin) July 9, 2020
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, and now holds offers rom Michigan State, Georgetown, Auburn, Georgia, Memphis, Iowa and more.
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.
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.
It’s no secret as to why Graham is one of the fastest rising players in the nation right now. The do-it-all small forward will fit in with ease wherever he decides to go, and with his 6-8, athletic frame and deep range, the NBA could be calling his name a few years down the line.
