Butler Basketball: Top-10 Bulldogs of the century (2000-2018)

7. A.J. Graves (2004 – 2008)

Career Stats (4 years): 13.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game

The sixth-leading scorer in program history, A.J. Graves was an electric guard for Butler basketball. He started 124 of his 130 career games with the program and was a double-digit per game scorer in each of his four seasons. In an era prior to the 3-point revolution, Graves was a high-volume shooter from deep, where he knocked in 35.1% of his 6.6 3PA per game.

At 6’1″, he did not have tremendous size but he made up for it with his quick release and scoring prowess. After missing the NCAA Tournament in his two collegiate seasons, Graves reached new heights by not only making the Big Dance in the next two years but three games combined once there. For a Horizon League program, this was a remarkable feat. In fact, the play of Graves and his teammates in those two NCAA tournaments were a stepping stone to the incredible seasons that followed. In five career NCAA Tournament games, Graves averaged 17.4 points per game, showcasing his ability to score on the national stage.

It is easy to forget some of the Butler greats that came directly before the national championship runs and the play in the Big East but Graves definitely deserves a mention. He was an essential leader of the program through the pivotal seasons of the mid-2000’s. He played under both head coaches Todd Lickliter and Brad Stevens. Graves was also a two-time Academic All-American (2007, 2008) and an Honorable Mention All-American in 2007.

Let’s not forget that Graves also buried one of the most memorable regular season shots in recent Butler memory: