Graves Takes Fordham Official
Class of 2017 combo guard Jayvon Graves (PrepHoopsOhio #6) is back in central Ohio…for now. “We did visit Fordham over the past weekend,” said Graves’ mother Brandy Pryor. “We went in on Thursday, came back on Saturday.” The sharpshooter Graves is…
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Continue ReadingClass of 2017 combo guard Jayvon Graves (PrepHoopsOhio #6) is back in central Ohio…for now.
“We did visit Fordham over the past weekend,” said Graves’ mother Brandy Pryor. “We went in on Thursday, came back on Saturday.”
The sharpshooter Graves is coming off a strong AAU career with King James AAU program. He averaged 13.4 ppg this summer offering outside shooting, perimeter defense, and supplementary ball-handling. Fordham is one of several D1 programs to offer Graves. He has currently set up three official visits.
“We feel that Fordham is a great academic school as well as a good basketball program,” said Ms. Pryor. “Jayvon feels he can go in and be an asset to their program if he chooses Fordham.”
Unlike his two confirmed future official visits, Fordham is located in a major metro market.
‘The environment, because Fordham is away from the big city of inner-New York…Fordham has that home kind of a feeling of a small campus feel, but yet close enough to the big city,” said Ms. Pryor. “We took the train. From the train into the city was about 15 or 20 minutes. So, it is as if you don’t even know you are in New York City.”
Fordham Head Basketball Coach Jeff Neuebauer put on a nice show, but there are other suitors too.
“I can’t comment whether he where he is going to commit because as of right now we don’t know,” Ms. Pryor. “But, what I can say is that Jayvon can adapt to any change or challenge. A big city would not be a huge factor for him, one way or the other, as far as in, you know, he wouldn’t have to go (into NYC) or could if he chooses to.”
Guidance
Though Jayvon has no family members who played college sports, he is advised by several successful peers.
Jalen Hudson attended the nationally-known St. Vincent’s-St. Mary’s before signing with Virginia Tech (2013). He is now completing a mandated redshirt year after transferring to Florida.
“Lots and lots of close past teammates that kind of mentor him,” said Ms. Pryor.
Also, C.J. McCollum hails from Canton, Ohio. The pro player is consistently guiding Jayvon in his pursuit of the NBA dream.
“He keep giving him advice on what route he should go,” said Ms. Pryor. “He keeps in contact with them.”
When Graves ultimately selects a college and even moves in next fall, he will do so with the backing of multiple encouraging family members, including his grandfather James Pryor, Jr., as well as his uncles Jamie and Mike Pryor. He will look for strong advice from them.
Next Stops
Both officials and unofficials occupy the family calendar in the coming weeks.
“I know he is taking an unofficial to Duquesne,” previewed Mrs. Pryor. “He is taking an unofficial to Indiana State, as well.”
The college experience for Jayvon will include a “Communications Major with a strong interest in sports broadcasting/journalism,” detailed Ms. Pryor. “As well as business. Those are the two avenues.”
Fordham, for example offers internships in the #1 media market in the nation.
“We have Toledo and Buffalo,” said Ms. Pryor. “Those two are scheduled. We are unsure of where else he may visit.”
The Bulls of Buffalo compete in the MAC, a conference largely comprised of Ohio-based colleges.
“As for Buffalo, they see Jayvon coming in right away and playing,” said Ms. Pryor. “Probably at the 1, but it could be at the 2 as well. They are expecting to come in and contribute right away.”