Recruiting Report: Brandon Graff (2018)

2018 guard Brandon Graff plays much bigger than his 6'1", 185-pound frame. The North Port guard had 13 points in Class 8A-Region 3 quarterfinal loss to Palmetto. Graff and the Bobcats went 16-10 on the season. He says what he learned last season was to run and lead the team. Also, to make decisions quicker and plays in times of need. "The part of my game that has grown the most is my scoring capability. I’ve developed a better more consistent jump shot over the summer and have worked on my offensive game," Graff said. "That has allowed myself to average 14 points a game with my high school over the summer and in pre-season events." Graff's role for North Port as a senior will be to be a team captain for the third straight season. "We have a really good team this year and rumors have already started that we are the best team in the area. I think we have a legit shot at a regional title," he said. "As a freshman, I was lucky to be part of a final four team full of college-level athletes, I gained a lot of experience, especially as to what it takes to get to that level and how much is expected. I think I'm able to portray to my teammates the level at which we need to be playing at, especially heading into this season with a senior-laden team." Graff spent his first summer with the Tampa Titans. "I learned how to fluently fit into an offense and how to make plays off the ball and even on defense," he said. "I saw what it was like to play against Division I competition and the experiences I gained helped me greatly." He started playing basketball at age 5 and once he entered the 5th grade, he started playing AAU ball. Graff called his ability to pass and control a game his biggest strengths. "My high school coaches have always praised me for my ability to be a floor general and they credit me with being one of the best facilitators in the region and even state," he said. "Being a four-year varsity athlete I’ve learned to control the game and my teammates, especially in intense situations and games." Recently I’ve focused on my offensive game and I’ve made great strides to improve my offensive efficiency and I’m confident in myself to average 13+ PPG and around 7+ assists a game." No offers have come yet for Graff, but he's earning interest from NC Wesleyan, Thomas, Bard, Covenant, Newberry and Queens. Look for Graff to have a nice senior campaign. He produced over the summer and will carry that confidence into the fall.