Jordan Graham Prospect Report
Following a prolific senior season in Michigan, Jordan Graham came to Tennessee Prep Academy (TPA) to blow up. His skills are undeniable, but like most young players there are rough edges to his game.
After averaging 27.5 ppg for Farmington (Michigan) High School, Graham looked ready for college. PrepHoops.com/Michigan featured him last December. A significant barrier stood in his way.
“He needs a test score,” said TPA President Harold Rayford Jr.
Until he gets his score to an NCAA-approved standard his path will have to be prep schools and junior college. Talents like Graham have made The League without attending a D1-D3 college, but the pathway is much, much less predictable and not well-worn. Pro scouts like to see young men compete against top competition prior to NBA-Draft entry. Many junior colleges have vans full of players with flaws, or guys that missed out because of low grades and/or tests.
Can Graham get to a D1 college?
The skills and size suggest he should.
“He had a 48-point game the other night against Bethel University (NAIA D1),” said President Rayford Jr.
Graham’s body type is lanky, long, agile. He can get to the rim and creates different way to get the ball up and over defenders. He is more crafty than explosive, but a year in the weight room could help him gain explosion. Already he figured out ways to score in traffic.
Graham suits up with TPA’s Post-Grad Gold Team.
“I had to lobby for it,” said President Rayford Jr. “Both teams (PG-Blue and PG-Gold) are on GRIND Session. GRIND Session for us will start up in December, definitely January.”
In addition to coaching the TPA High School team, Coach Rayford Jr. worked on compiling a challenging schedule for the program’s three teams (1 HS, 2 PG). Before the GRIND Session earnestly existed teams like TPA needed to schedule junior colleges, community colleges, and smaller NAIA schools to find games. Coach Rayford Jr. would like to maintain those relationships and keep his players competing against other more physical, more advanced opponents.
Graham is a scorer. Teammate GeAni Bannerman (NJ) is a scorer. The team also features rugged rebounders Aaron Whitmore and Rashid Ellis. They are already doing damage in the region. The GRIND Session will draw extra attention to the well-constructed team and Jordan Graham specifically throughout the winter.
“Outside of the Memphis Classic my post-grad team will play at Marshall County Hoopfest.”