NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Forward James Graham III a rising 2021 prospect
NCAA Basketball class of 2021 power forward James Graham III is a rising star for the Nicolet Knights of Glendale, Wisconsin.
James Graham III improved and impressed as a junior for the Nicolet Knights and NCAA Basketball programs have taken notice.
The 6-foot-9, 205 pound, power forward holds offers from Maryland, Rutgers, Florida State, DePaul, Wake Forest, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
As a sophomore during the 2018-19 season, he averaged six points, three rebounds, and shot 66 percent from the field. The Knights won the 2019 WIAA State Championship with a 67-52 win over the Washington Purgolders of Milwaukee. The Knights finished 27-1 (18-0 North Shore Conference) that season.
In 2019-20, James Graham III earned an All-North Shore Conference First Team honor and averaged 21 points and seven rebounds. The Knights continued their dominance. They finished 22-3 (16-2 North Shore Conference) and were on their way to possibly win another state title if they were able to play and beat the Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts in the championship game. It was not played due to COVID-19.
Graham III is keeping his options open. He doesn’t have high interest in any school as of yet. What stands out about him on film is his ability to drive the lane and create his own shot or go to the basket for a dunk. He can also help a college basketball program on the perimeter since he shoots the ball well from out there. On the defensive end, he has the length and size to protect the rim.
The Milwaukee native relishes one-on-one opportunities and believes that he is a very effective isolation scorer. The best parts of his game are his hesitation pull up and step back shots and he knows that he needs to work on being a better passer and getting his teammates involved.
He plays the game for his family and himself because he wants to be the best player on the floor every game. Being able to represent well for Milwaukee would give him a sense of pride as well. “I grew up in Milwaukee and it means a lot I want to do big things for my city,” he said.
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James Graham III wants to continue to prove the doubters wrong and when his time is all said and done at Nicolet High School, he will miss the trials he faced there. It wasn’t easy but he has been pushed to be a better player and that’s exactly what he wanted.