JAMES GRAHAM III
Milwaukee, Wis.
Nicolet HS
6-8 // 205 // Guard/Forward
Before Maryland: Consensus Four-star recruit via all major recruiting publications...No. 52 overall player, No. 11 small forward in the class and No. 2 out of Wisconsin, per 247Sports...No. 22 small forward and No. 4 player in the state of Wisconsin via ESPN...No. 107 overall player and No. 19 at his position via Rivals...averaged 20.3 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game for Nicolet High School in Milwaukee as a junior...helped Nicolet to a 22-2 record while outscoring opponents by an average of 24.2 points over its last nine games last season...was picked by many to repeat as the WIAA Division 2 state champions before the season was cut short.
James Graham III: "I'm so excited to join Maryland and get to play with the program. I'm eager to meet my new teammates and coaches. I chose Maryland because it was the best fit for me academically and athletically. Maryland fans can expect someone who is extremely charismatic and goofy, but also a killer on the court."
Head coach Mark Turgeon: "James Graham is one of the most talented players offensively I think I've ever recruited. James can put the ball in the basket from so many different ways - on the block, 3-point line, midrange, off the dribble to the rim. He's got game. He really worked on his body this summer and just became this really good player."
Monique Graham, mother: "I am so excited for this opportunity for James. When we were looking for the right school, our priority was ensuring our son would thrive as a positive contributor to society. We really stressed academics and community involvement as well as athletics. It became clear that the Maryland coaching staff would provide James with the tools to develop mentally and emotionally, as well as in the classroom and on the court."
James Graham II, father: "By the time I was 14, I was done working toward a dream and began simply working jobs. I am the happiest that my son, at 17, is still working towards his dream of being a pro basketball player and having great success doing so. The offers blew me away. This scholarship blew me away. And it's all due to his hard work. And he is not through! Coach Turgeon, Coach Bino and the whole staff have convinced me that James is in the best place to reach his goal. I believe they will fully support him, and I know James will repay them 10-fold with his work, effort and performance. I can't wait to see my boy on national TV in the NCAA Tournament!"
Duane Wilson, Wisconsin Playground Club Executive Director: "James is the type of player that can score the ball at all four levels. He can also rebound and run the floor. He's a gym rat. He loves being in the gym and doing what it takes to elevate his game. As a person he's a great individual and does great in the classroom. He's a great kid from a great family. James really put the work in over the last couple of years. He did the extra work and got in the weight room to change his body. He really changed his thought process. We always talk about bettering yourself off the court as more than a basketball player and James embraced that."
Brian Snow, 247 scout: "Even in this weird summer, James Graham really blew up . He's 6-9 and can shoot it. He's a good athlete who can handle the ball and can create going to the rim. His best basketball is ahead of him. He got better fast and people saw through his film that his game was going in the right direction. His future is really bright. James has great leadership qualities and is a great kid that people want to be around. There's a lot to like about what he can bring to Maryland."
Colby Giacubeno, Inside Maryland Sports: "Graham's size and skillset are what made him such a coveted prospect. He makes his presence felt from beyond the arc as a shot-maker. The 6-foot-8 Graham also has the ability to put the ball on the floor for one or two dribbles with comfort and make jumpers at an efficient clip from mid-range. I see Graham being utilized often as a pick-and-pop threat. It may take a year, but once he adjusts to the speed of the college game, he can be a legitimate dual threat off the catch and his value will skyrocket. Graham fits the mold to be an extremely versatile defender. His size and length come into play heavily here, as his wingspan allows him to match up against centers for short spurts when being used in small-ball lineups. He has good instincts as a help defender and does many things that may not show up on the box score, but hold great value in winning a game."