James Graham III - 2021 Forward (Maryland)

Dude's got a pretty good offer list of HMs...glad we jumped on it. I like length that can shoot.

 

Hopefully Lowery's WI connections can pay off here.

 

Butler has been recruiting him for a while. This offer was inevitable, in my opinion, was just a matter of time before it was issued. I really like him as a prospect - legit 6'8" with long arms, can efficiently shoot it from deep, very versatile. He's a 2-3 at his size by position.

 

Looks like a true stretch Power 4, good inside touch and can really shoot it from deep.

 

He doesn't like the power forward label haha (and I don't think it truly suits him either). I view him as a multipositional talent that will spend the vast majority of his time at the 3.

 

I should have an interview with Graham published on Patreon later tonight (will be free to read).

 

Kid looks great. Reminds me of the lanky wing from UNC who went off against us in the NCAAT game a few years ago. Justin Jackson?

Not quite as talented, but this kid looks like a great college 3 that can defend 3-5. If he shoots well and develops, with that size, he has NBA potential.

Would love to get him.

 

As already discussed in the recruiting thread, Butler offered James Graham III out of Nicolet HS (WI) earlier today. I had the chance to talk with him over the phone this afternoon and here is my piece (free) on him, including his thoughts on the offer and his recruitment.

Link to Article with James Graham III

 

@Lukas Harkins great article. At the end he said he wanted to play fast and shoot within 10sec. Was that Butler last yr? I think that was more the previous yr with Jorgs.

 

Pretty excited about this one. Seems like he is thrilled about getting the offer and I like the idea of the staff playing “hard to get” at this point by really waiting and making the players “earn” the offers. Also seems like he’s extremely self-motivated from the interview. Great article Lukas!


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LaVall and Co are looking to assemble some dangerous teams.

I had initially been subscribing to the idea that we wanted one versatile forward (Joplin, Hughes) with length and one wing with more of a shooting skill set (Poulakidas, Barnhizer), but if Graham can provide somewhat of a hybrid that becomes pretty attractive. Gives the staff the flexibility to hold a scholarship or also double down on one of the other guys (I'd love for the last two to be Graham and Joplin).

 

Glad you guys like the piece.

As far as tempo goes, Butler has ranked in the slower-half of the nation in each of three seasons under Coach Jordan - averaging possessions lasting ~18.5 seconds each. Additionally, Milwaukee was quite slow under his leadership and so was Michigan when he was an assistant there. LaVall wants to be able to push more but I think that is mostly him wanting his guards to be opportunistic (and AT is very intelligent when picking when to push). If there's a chance in transition to score quick, go for it and attack, otherwise pull out and run a set for a look (or Kamar doing his thing ). I definitely wouldn't classify Butler as a "fast" team but the offensive scheme is more versatile than people give it credit for (something Graham also cites in a school). Butler has been exhibited better adjusted offensive efficiency rankings than defensive in each of LJ's head coaching seasons (though that probably doesn't happen this season w/o AT and CD getting hurt) with two of those years finishing in the Top 25 of the nation in AdjO.

 

This offer builds on the clear desire of LaVall to get switchy type guys that present all kinds of match up problems for opponents. The degree to which it seems like every offer is switchy seems notable bc we have largely not had these types of players in the past (obviously there are exceptions). I love it and this is line with the more ‘position-less’ game.

I have a couple questions from this—I wonder whether LaVall and company stand out compared to other programs in recruiting these types of players? Obviously teams target these players but are we unique in the number of switchy type players we are targeting? I wonder also if there are simply more versatile players available than say 5 or 10 years ago due player training?


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Dawgsdd I think you are right. LJ seems to be moving away from the Brunk/Fowler type fortunately and more toward interchangeable types.

 

I definitely think training is pushing towards making bigs more versatile. The game is moving that direction from the NBA down. Any one who wants to play professionally essentially has to have three point range.

 

Marquette offer today.

 

When LaVall first came in, we were hearing the under 8, then great, and late mantra. My gut tells me it was personnel and team makeup that kind of pushed us into "the late" scenario so often (and, once again, thank you Kamar, btw). I think having a roster full of guys who can put it on the floor and pressure the D will open up more early opportunities at the rim and for kicks off of drives.

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I see a Saddiq Bey type.


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