Cats Ink Graham to Complete 2015-16 Early Signing Class
TUCSON, Ariz.--- Forward Destiny Graham has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at the University of Arizona, becoming the third and final piece of the Wildcats’ 2015 recruiting class, head coach Niya Butts announced on Friday.
Graham joins forward A’Shanti Coleman (Sacred Heart Prep, Calif.) and guard Michal Miller (Michigan City High School, Ind.) to make up the promising young group.
Graham and Coleman are already familiar with each other, playing together as club teammates with the California Ballaz. Both standing at 6-foot-2, the duo will also be the tallest two members on the squad next year.
Destiny Graham | Forward | 6-2 | Eastside College Prep (East Palo Alto, Calif.)
Graham comes to Arizona ranked as the No. 28 forward in the country according to Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. She enters her senior season at Eastside College Prep poised for a breakout year, as she set career bests in points scored (14.6 ppg), rebounds (8.6 rpg), and blocks (3.4 bpg), on her way to claiming league MVP honors and a spot on the All-League First Team.
Graham averaged a career-best 5.1 steals per contest her sophomore year, while leading the Panthers to the league title and a berth in the state championship game, after going 22-9 overall. She was named the West Bay Foothill League’s most improved player and earned Second Team All-League honors.
Graham made an impact right away as a freshman, pulling down 8.3 boards per contest and nearly averaging two blocks a game on the way to being named an All-League Honorable Mention. She’s started all three seasons thus far at Eastside. Graham played under head coach Donovan Blythe both at Eastside College Prep and on Blythe’s Basketball AAU squad. She plans to major in criminology.
HONORS
Junior
League MVP
First Team All-League
Team Offensive MVP
Averaged 14.6 ppg/ 8.6 rpg/ 0.7 apg/ 3.4 bpg/ 2.2 spg
Sophomore
Second Team All-League
Named League’s Most Improved Player
Named Team’s Most Improved Player
Freshman
Honorable Mention All-League
CLUB TEAM
California Ballaz | Bay Area, Calif.
Blythe’s Basketball | Bay Area, Calif.
From Coach Butts…
“Destiny Graham is extremely athletic and agile. She brings a bit more size than we have now and her presence is certainly going to be needed. Destiny fits our style of play and has a huge upside. We are looking forward to her joining our family.”
What the Scouts are Saying…
“She’s a long athletic insider who displays an emerging offensive game. Can rebound, get put backs, is very mobile in transition and has lateral quickness. Defends out of area and has a nice finesse game with a soft touch in the mid-post. She’s a mismatch producer even against bigger bodies.”
-Dan Olson | Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
“She’s a good athlete and runs the floor well. A good rebounder and can score near the basket.”
-Brett McCormick | All-Star Girls Report
Getting to Know Destiny Graham
Q: Who is the athlete that inspires you the most?
A: Stephen Curry.
Q: What was your childhood nickname?
A: Voula, Geeder and Des G.
Q: What is the most rewarding part about playing basketball?
A: Just knowing all the hard work you put in will pay off.
Q: What makes playing basketball at Arizona a special opportunity?
A: Just me being able to play against top-notch competition and knowing my weaknesses will be exposed, which means I can eventually turn those weaknesses into my strengths.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Transformers.
Q: What is your most embarrassing moment?
A: When I was a freshman in high school I would slide and fall down on the court all the time.
Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: When people make noises with their fake nails or when people crack their bones.
Q: What is one word you would use to describe yourself?
A: Curious.
Q: What is one food you can’t say no to?
A: Fried Rice and Mac and Cheese.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: “There are two kinds of people in this world, those who believe they can and those who believe they can’t. They’re both right.” – Henry Ford
Q: What is your favorite professional sports team?
A: The Golden State Warriors.