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The Race for Devonte Graham Takes Off
- Updated: April 10, 2014
After watching Devonte Graham tear apart the competition at the National Prep School Invitational this past February I wrote that he would be worth waiting for no matter how long it took him to arrive at Providence. The Brewster Academy point guard had spent the past year unsure of if he’d be able to play collegiate basketball next season as Appalachian State refused to release him from his signed National Letter of Intent.
You know the story by now, Graham got his release today after a season’s worth of waiting and the interest is pouring in. Kansas, Virginia, Florida, NC State, Creighton, Xavier and others will all throw their names into what should be a wild race for the best guard remaining in the class of 2014.
Brewster head coach Jason Smith told me two months ago that Providence was one of “three or four schools” that Graham was interested in learning more about once he could have contact with coaches (which he couldn’t while signed to the letter of intent) and the PC staff will be at Brewster’s campus on Thursday. Ed Cooley is all in.
How good is Graham? The view from here is that he could well be the difference maker between the Friars dancing once again in March. With Graham, Cooley would have insurance at the point guard spot that he didn’t have this past season, a second ball handler and creator, and Graham very well could be the best deep threat on this team the minute he steps foot on campus.
As currently constituted the Friars have a lot of pieces, but Graham could step into Bryce Cotton’s late game role — put the ball in his hands and let him create for himself or others. He’s a terrific outside shooter, natural point guard and has a knack for the big play.
There’s no overstating what a monstrous get this would be for Providence. This is the total package at point guard.
* * *
We covered Graham extensively this season, but here are a pair of articles worth taking another look at:
http://friarbasketball.com/2014/02/06/update-devonte-graham-pc/
http://friarbasketball.com/2014/02/04/live-providence-ri-national-prep-school-invitational/
Email Kevin at kevin.farrahar@friarbasketball.com
Twitter: Kevin_Farrahar
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JMC
April 27, 2014 at 11:51 am
Jared Terrell has received a release from Oklahoma State?