Milton Academy's Graham went from overlooked prospect to a NEPSAC champ and D-1 talent
When the world shut down due to the pandemic, millions of lives changed forever.
And for Jack Graham, that period of time is when his basketball career skyrocketed. The starting guard on the Milton Academy boys basketball team began his high school career at Bishop Hendricken in Warwick, Rhode Island, before COVID hit.
How a small-town kid ended up winning a New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Class A title this past winter, completing one of the best seasons in school history, is far from typical.
“Throughout my career, from middle school to high school in Rhode Island, I was just this kid trying to make a name for myself and get (my name) out there,” said Graham. “At that time I was still this little scrawny guard from Smithfield trying to put himself out there.”
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He spent his first three years in the Ocean State, but the pandemic is when his life changed course. He grew from 5-foot-11 to 6-foot-2 and started to gain attention on the recruiting trail.
When the grown spurt happened he was a “completely different player,” Graham said. His AAU coaches began suggesting he do a post-graduate year playing prep ball. Before that, he believed his plans were set in stone.
“At that point of time I was still invested to finish out my four years at Rhode Island and find whatever school I can get into at that point,” said Graham. “I was getting recruited by Division 3 schools. That’s where I thought my road was going to go.”
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When he got the call from Milton Academy boys basketball coach/athletic director Lamar Reddicks to visit the campus and talk, it was a done deal from there. The kid who was in the smallest state in the country ended up facing some of the biggest prospects in the region.
Graham's growth spurt has continued (he's now checking in at 6-foot-4). His transition into not only a shooter, but a better defender helped him in the prep and AAU circuits.
“It was a big jump,” said Graham. “I’d say the difference was physicality and height. I think my first two games at Milton I went from guarding a 6(-foot-)4 point guard who was quick and shifty to my second game I’m guarding a 6(-foot-)10 or 7-foot center.”
The hard work in the summer paid off. Graham got looks and offers from Division I programs. But for him, the memories of bringing the championship home by edging a star-studded St. Sebastian's team, 77-76, in the New England final and finishing with a 26-2 record are priceless.
“Coming off the NEPSAC championship has been great,” said Graham. "That’s the way we wanted to end the season. Last year, when I was first being recruited and came to Milton, that was the first thing on our mind. At that time we were unknown, and no one really knew of us.”
“Jack, arguably, had one of the best senior seasons a kid has had," said Reddicks. "He played all positions for us, all two years for us. He can literally play all five positions. An outstanding two-way player.”
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Graham originally committed to Division 1 High Point University in North Carolina, but a recent coaching change had him decommit from the school. Now he’s back on the market, looking for a school with short time for a decision.
He’s received offers from Stonehill College, Holy Cross, Northeastern, New Hampshire and more. Still not a bad position to be in for a kid who thought he was going to have to pay part tuition for college.
“I’ve been taking my time to wait and hear from coaches reaching out to me in who’s really interested in me,” said Graham.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Milton Academy's Graham is a NEPSAC champ and sought-after recruit
