2014-15 roster released; JUCO walk-on addition...

[britton ransford]

The Washington State men's basketball roster has been updated on the official website and includes one unfamiliar name, Marcus Graham out of Boise (ID) Lincoln Land Community College.

Graham, a 6-foot-3 junior guard originally from Boise (ID) Timberline, was selected to the NJCAA All-American Third Team as a sophomore for Lincoln Land in 2013-14. Graham was a two year starter for the Loggers and averaged 19.2 points per game last season while shooting 43.8 percent from three and 82.1 percent from the charity stripe.

Additionally, Graham was a two time All Mid-West Athletic Conference selection, including a first team selection last season, and a two time All Region 24 selection.

"Marcus has been wonderful to coach. His ability to shoot the basketball was awesome," Coach Chad Jones said of Graham in a press release from the school. "Marcus puts the time in the gym working on his own. He will be next to impossible to replace next season."

LINK: http://www.wsucougars.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30400&SPID=126828&SPSID=749796

Update: Graham is Washington State assistant coach Greg Graham's son. (H/T CougDave)



This post was edited on 7/16 10:25 PM by Britton Ransford

 

[gazooks2]

He sounds good. He adds more depth to already crowded backcourt. I am still awaiting the recruitment of a big man to round out 2014. Kent needs to recruit over what is left from last year.Outside of Railey,Cheatum and Longrus,there is not any talent or depth at this point.I hope that Kent has a surprise for this year.

 

[gazooks2]

I cannot find any videos. The info i found, showed 45%FG,40 % 3Pt.and 87.5 FT%,with 3 rbs and 2.7 assts per game. It may be that there are no scholarship offers.

 

[jourdand]

Left handed shooter as a walk-on can't hurt. FYI from the two full game tapes I watched of Cheatum he has tons of potential but I don't see him getting much time this year more of a project than many seem to think IMO. Looks like a world beater one or two plays then completely disappears for long stretches of the game.

 

[How_did_this_happen?]

Paul Graham's grandson? LOL.

 

[britton ransford]

Originally posted by jourdand:
Left handed shooter as a walk-on can't hurt. FYI from the two full game tapes I watched of Cheatum he has tons of potential but I don't see him getting much time this year more of a project than many seem to think IMO. Looks like a world beater one or two plays then completely disappears for long stretches of the game.

I think when he gets into their nutrition program and gets his body in shape, he'll be able to sustain that high-level of play throughout a full game. I know that's something his JUCO coach noted and Kent alluded to, as well. Whether that comes this season or next is anyone's guess, but getting in shape will certainly help those mid-game lulls.

 

[CougDave]

He's Greg Graham's son. Ernie's assistant and long time friend/teammate.

 

[gazooks2]

Cheatum will be starting by December. Cheatum has very good stats and if he was not in shape than he will be even more effective once he is in shape. Perhaps he is training as we speak. Some guys have bottomed out and they have little potential for D 1 ball. The frontline players leave a lot to be desired.The Graham kid may help as a designated shooter against zone defenses.

 

[jourdand]

Granted WSU will have a better conditioning program than a JC but how
Are you not in shape at 20 years old playing college basketball at any level. Not really sure what gazooks is looking to make that perdition but I hope he's right but don't count on it. Overall we have better players on the roster

 

[britton ransford]

Originally posted by jourdand:
Granted WSU will have a better conditioning program than a JC but how
Are you not in shape at 20 years old playing college basketball at any level. Not really sure what gazooks is looking to make that perdition but I hope he's right but don't count on it. Overall we have better players on the roster

From a premium interview I had with his coach the day he committed:

"His strengths right now are his skill set and his ability to shoot. As for the things he needs to work on, here in California we don't have scholarships so we don't have the things that they have at the four-year level in terms of the proper nutrition and things like that. Once he has that and he can be consistently eating the right things and staying in super top shape, those are the things that are going to elevate him to another level."

I think you're severely underestimating the resources available at the junior college level as opposed to the Division-I level, jourdand. It's the same thing with football. Nutrition has become the number one aspect of strength and conditioning, and when players are only able to cook for themselves, the gym can only do so much for a player.

 

[jourdand]

I think you mean overestimating the resources available at the JC level. You are right nutrition plays a much larger role than we used to think and at the JC level personal discipline is very important.

FYI. I think you are doing a great job with the basketball board. I've already cancelled my brand x membership and will be comming your way in a month or so when it runs out.

 

[britton ransford]

Originally posted by jourdand:
I think you mean overestimating the resources available at the JC level. You are right nutrition plays a much larger role than we used to think and at the JC level personal discipline is very important.

FYI. I think you are doing a great job with the basketball board. I've already cancelled my brand x membership and will be comming your way in a month or so when it runs out.

You're right; overestimating. Hoping to have more hoops coverage when the quiet period is up. Basketball stuff is harder to dig up, especially at a program that isn't known for hoops, but we'll have plenty of coverage in the next couple months now that recruits are actually interested in potentially wearing a crimson and gray jersey. Appreciate it.

 

[gazooks2]

A look back at Aaron Cheatum. This guy averaged 15.2 pts,8.9 rbs,2.5 assts and 1.7 blks per game. and shot 34.4 % from 3 pt land.He was third in his league in the total number of blocks.These stats say something for his consistency. It takes timing and the ability to elevate to make a number of blocks. What is most telling is that he came up big in tournament play, where one thinks the competition would be better A couple of his teammates also got D1 scholarships so that shows that he was not a ball hog who got garbage points and rebounds in meaningless games.Hell there are a couple of players on the squad who would be lucky to get 2 blks per season. He is definitely a cut above the big men currently on the roster.He will start,mark my words.Kent did not recruit a juco to sit, while D11 players are being whipped,like last year,consistently by more talented players.

This post was edited on 7/18 12:33 PM by gazooks2

 

[Cougar Jon]

Look at Josh Smith at Georgetown, formerly of UCLA. Prime example of how you can be not in shape playing college basketball.