Old Harbour past student on US basketball scholarship excels on and off court

The six-foot seven-inch centre recently returned to Jamaica where he visited his alma mater and donated a few pairs of sneakers to the basketball team that played a crucial role in his development during his formative years.

There he took the responsibility to oversee training from his high school coach Ricardo Edwards, whom he described “like a father” before delivering an inspiring motivational team talk, during which he broke down in tears at one point.

"Always remember where you are coming from. I remember when I just went up abroad on my scholarship, my friend Wellesley Butler was still out here playing without shoes," Graham recounted to the group of boys as he sobs.

It is images like that and not being able to afford the nicer things in life that has reinforced his desire to aim high.

Graham, who grew up in Old Harbour Glades, was always a strong academic performer, leaving Old Harbour for Long Island Lutheran High School with 10 subjects.

He continued his exemplary academic performance, earning a full scholarship to Nyack College where he has been on the honour roll with a 3.9 GPA.

On court he has been plagued by injuries in the last two seasons, limiting his playing time in the process. But his undoubted talent and leadership qualities will see him becoming team captain for the upcoming college season, in addition to being an assistant teacher to his professor in computer engineering.

Asked if his main goal is still to play in the NBA, Graham was non-committal.

“At the end of the day I'm in God's hands, so whatever He gives me I'm going to take it. Sometimes I feel like my call is bigger than just basketball,” Graham told Old Harbour News, while noting he intends to read for his master’s degree in electrical engineering after completing his bachelor’s degree programme in computer science.

“I do love basketball,” he added “but at the end of the day if my calling is business then its business”.

Graham was a key member of the Old Harbour High School basketball team that won the 2013 national under-16 high school tournament. Several of that star-studded team, including Joel Bailey, Butler and Javel Redwood among others all earned basketball scholarships to the United States, where they continue to excel.

Importantly, however, they all make it a duty to give back to their school, and speak glowingly of coach Edwards, who is also a pastor.

“Coach is one of the most selfless persons I know. He's like a father and that means a lot,” Graham said.