Devonte Graham will visit NC State

If you’ve read any of our recent posts regarding the current configuration and status of the NC State Basketball program then you’ve picked up on our analysis that we think the Wolfpack could benefit from (1) the addition of a little more depth and experience at the point guard position next season (and beyond), and also (2) a little more targeted ‘scholarship spacing’ so as to avoid large numbers of players leaving the program simultaneously in the future.

With this said, it looks like NC State is working to take care of some of these needs with a player that should be familiar to many — former Broughton High School star, Devonte Graham‘s current coach at Brewster Academy tweeted the news today that Graham will be taking visits to NC State and to Kansas in the next two weeks.

You may remember the sticky situation that evolved over the last couple of years when Graham signed with App State prior to deliver on a strong senior season which led to him attracting attention from a lot of more prominent national programs. Mountaineers head coach, Jason Capel, (being the class act that he is) refused to let Graham out of his LOI and issued a statement last year weirdly pointing fingers at NC State’s coaching staff for tampering with Graham. You can click here for a little more.

After signing to play for Appalachian State and head coach Jason Capel, Graham’s stock soared as he impressed coaches during his senior season at Broughton High School. Other schools – schools most young point guards from Raleigh would choose over Appalachian State at a moment’s notice (no offense, App) – predictably took notice. Graham had soon drawn interest from a host of high D-I programs, including Pittsburgh, Providence, Creighton, Wichita State, UConn and Rhode Island. By mid-February, Graham had asked for a release from his NLI to pursue a more high-profile college hoops experience. Far from being cooperative, Capel failed to oblige his request. Now spending a post-graduate year at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, essentially stuck in eligibility limbo, Graham faces the likelihood of having to burn one year of eligibility if he decides to transfer to another school.

Well, Capel has now been fired and App State has now decided to grant Graham his release (link).

Schools in need of a point guard just got a big boost.

Appalachian State has released 2014 recruit Devonte Graham from his letter-of-intent, meaning the point guard is free to go anywhere in the fall.

The family doesn’t have an official release just yet, so it might be a day or two before Graham can speak to college coaches.

Previously, Graham has consistently had his release requests denied, and he was willing to sit out next season in order to go elsewhere.

The 6-foot-1 point guard immediately becomes the most sought-after guard on the market, as he proved throughout this season at Brewster Academy (N.H.) that he can play with the best of the best.

[snip]

Graham is absolutely a high-major talent. He is a good athlete with quickness, and he makes plays at both ends of the floor, getting to the rim, running the break, finding teammates. Graham can run the pick-and-roll effectively, and has shown great vision and hands. He also can keep defenses honest with his perimeter jumper. Defensively, he plays passing lanes and forced steals.

If Graham joins the 2014 recruiting class and State chooses not to accept any more 2014 recruits or transfers, the Wolfpack would have as many as four scholarships available next year and at least one scholarship available the next year if no other transfers out of the program happen.

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Home Forums Devonte Graham will visit NC State

Viewing 25 posts - 26 through 50 (of 58 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #51577
    redisgood
    Participant

    Turner to Texas. That was not at all helpful to us.

    #51595
    packalum44
    Participant

    Tough choice. On the one hand, you go to a school that regularly competes for Final 4s. Chances are better than 50% you play in one before 4 year eligibility expires.

    On the other hand, you go to a school that has a fan base who would cut off their right hand for an Elite 8, which has occurred about 3 times in NC State history.

    Gott’s newest pitch….we do have good flexibility though! You could always transfer if you don’t like it.

    I hope he comes but if he asked me my honest opinion, I’d tell him don’t be a fool.

    #51611
    SqlWolf
    Participant

    don’t be a fool.

    If I were a high schooler with this level of talent, I think it would be hard to deny choosing KU over NCSU especially with the recent track record the Jayhawks have in the NCAA tourney.

    #51621
    JeremyH
    Participant

    I assume playing time is potentially a larger factor.

    #51624
    redisgood
    Participant

    The chance of playing time would be roughly equal between the two schools. Both have established starters, and KU also has a sophomore. Probably a better chance at PT here short-term, but KU fans complain none of their guards are true PGs.

    #51627
    StateRed44
    Participant

    Gee whiz, who wants to go to a football conference to play basketball in flyover country. No way I’d want to be stuck in BFE Kansas for four years.

    #51630
    redisgood
    Participant

    So much for the senior point guard. Tharpe just announced he is transferring. Well, that should seal the deal.

    #51662
    BJD95
    Keymaster

    Yeah, the reasonable inference is that Graham is waiting for KS to sort its situation out, and that State is his backup option. Damn it.

    #51665
    Gowolves
    Participant

    I am sure I am being too optimistic but I think he will stay home. Just a gut feeling. Anyway one of his former coaches said he would decide in the next two weeks.

    #51678
    redisgood
    Participant

    The fat lady is warming up. I’m pretty sure we will know before Monday, and possibly by the end of today. I think we already know, this will just make it official.

    #51680
    pakfanistan
    Participant

    According to Jeff Goodman, Graham has chosen Kansas.

    This is why we can’t have nice things.

    #51684
    Wufpacker
    Participant
    #51685
    Wulfpack
    Participant

    The second that PG left Kansas, this was a no contest. It’s Kansas, folks.

    #51686
    packalum44
    Participant

    *Sarcasm Alert* avert your eyes if you must. But really we have nothing to worry about we just lost a McD AA to transfer which was perfectly fine with 90% of the fan-base about a month ago. So really who cares about Graham we are so stacked at PG we can lose McD AA’s without batting an eye.

    #51687
    tjfoose1
    Participant

    What does it matter, ’44? Gott is such a bad coach he wouldn’t have been able to do anything with him anyway. From the way you tell it, Gott couldn’t win with the original Dream Team roster.

    All this means is we won’t be hearing you bitch and moan about Gott’s misuse of Graham next year.

    #51688
    Rick
    Keymaster

    The trend in recruiting does not inspire confidence.
    Not to mention Gott’s highest ranked class does not have any remaining members after only two years.

    #51689
    PackerInRussia
    Participant

    2 years is the new 4 years.

    #51691
    MrPlywood
    Participant

    What trend? The trend that has State’s class ranked #17 (ESPN)?

    #51692
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator

    No Ply, it’s the trend that runs off guys like Lewis and Purvis. You know, by recruiting a Cat Barber.

    It’s disconcerting to see a kid toss his hat into the ring at a crap program like Kansas, too.

    Seeing Warren leave under suspicious conditions is as disheartening as it gets.

    #51693
    BJD95
    Keymaster

    LMAO, thanks for saving me the typing, Dog. Jeebus.

    In all seriousness, we DO need to bring in a good PG in the next class now.

    #51694
    Tau837
    Participant

    Since Gottfried arrived, he not only has signed three straight top 20 recruiting classes, he has also been very close on other top recruits:

    2012: Parker (Duke)
    2013: Randle (Kentucky)
    2014: Graham (Kansas)

    There is no shame in losing recruits to these schools, especially when at the same time still bringing in strong classes.

    #51695
    redisgood
    Participant

    After 3 years, the current roster consists of seven 4 stars, two 3 stars (Freeman and Turner), and one Juco All American. I think the man can recruit. And I agree, we really need to get another PG. I’ll be holding my breath every time Cat drives into the lane.

    #51696
    tjfoose1
    Participant

    I saw a bird in a tree today, and it was not chirping the NC State fight song. Obviously another telling sign of the Wolfpack’s basketball woes.

    #51697
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator

    ^ Funny you should write that, Foose.

    Got a Mockingbird off the front porch doing both anthems,as I type.

    Now where’d he learn that?

    #51698
    VaWolf82
    Keymaster

    Since Gottfried arrived, he not only has signed three straight top 20 recruiting classes

    When I looked up the rankings of those 3 classes, I saw a trend. It might just be data scatter or it might not. Let’s see if the 2015 class continues the trend or reverses it.

    As someone else already noted, there is no one left from his best class and the accomplishments of that class were rather meager. Accomplishments are always better measuring sticks than subjective rankings.

Viewing 25 posts - 26 through 50 (of 58 total)
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