Devonte' Graham

Devonte' Terrell Graham (born February 22, 1995) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks. He played high school basketball for Needham Broughton High School.

Devonte' Graham

Graham with the Charlotte Hornets in 2020
Free agent
Position	Point guard
Personal information
Born	(1995-02-22) February 22, 1995 (age 29) Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight	195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school	Broughton (Raleigh, North Carolina) Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, New Hampshire)
College	Kansas (2014–2018)
NBA draft	2018: 2nd round, 34th overall pick
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks
Playing career	2018–present
Career history
2018–2021	Charlotte Hornets
2018–2019	→Greensboro Swarm
2021–2023	New Orleans Pelicans
2023–2024	San Antonio Spurs
Career highlights and awards
Consensus first-team All-American (2018) Big 12 Player of the Year (2018) First-team All-Big 12 (2018) Second-team All-Big 12 (2017) Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2016) Big 12 tournament MVP (2016)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference
Medals Men's basketball Representing  United States Summer Universiade 2015 Gwangju Team competition

High school career

Graham attended Broughton High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. As a senior, Graham averaged 15.7 points and 5.4 assists per game, leading the team to a 26–6 record and the 4A state championship game during the 2012–13 season.^[1]

Graham originally committed to Appalachian State before deciding he wanted to play elsewhere. However, Appalachian State's head coach at the time, Jason Capel, would not allow him to de-commit, as he felt other teams may have been tampering with Graham following his commitment to the university. Due to this, Graham elected to play a post-graduate year at Brewster Academy, in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, rather than honor his commitment to play for Appalachian State.^[2]

At Brewster Academy, Graham averaged 17.2 points and 5.0 assists per game, leading the team to the national prep championship and the New England championship during the 2013–14 season. On May 2, 2014, Graham committed to Kansas, choosing them over North Carolina State and Virginia.^[3]

College career

Freshman

As a freshman at Kansas, Graham averaged 5.7 points and 2.1 assists per game. He had a season-high 20 points against TCU on February 21, 2015. In the NCAA Tournament, he scored 17 points against Wichita State.^[3]

Graham at Kansas.

Sophomore

After scoring a then career-high 27 points on 8-of-13 shooting against Oklahoma, Graham was named Big 12 Player of the Week for the week of February 14, 2016.^[4] At the conclusion of the regular season, Graham was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team.^[5] He was named MVP of the 2016 Big 12 men's basketball tournament after scoring 27 points against West Virginia in the championship game.^[6] As a sophomore in the 2015–16 season, Graham averaged 11.3 points per game while shooting 46 percent overall and 44 percent from 3 point territory.^[7][8]

Junior

As a junior, Graham was named to the Second Team All-Big 12.^[9] Along with Frank Mason III, Graham formed the backcourt of a Kansas team that went 31–5 but lost in the Elite Eight, as Graham shot 0 for 7 from the field and missed six 3-pointers in a season-ending 74–60 loss to Oregon. For the season, he averaged 13.4 points, 4.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. In April, Graham announced on Twitter that he was returning for his senior year.^[10]

Senior

In his senior season, Graham was named the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year for the 2017–18 season.^[11] On November 28, Graham scored a career high 35 points in a 96–58 win over Toledo.^[12] The following game, a 76–60 win over Syracuse, Graham again scored 35 points.^[13] Graham would go on to be unanimously selected as the Big 12 Player of the Year, averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 assists per game as a senior.^[14] He was also named a consensus member of the First Team All-America by multiple organizations, leading his team to the 2017-18 Final Four in San Antonio, Texas. During his senior season, he averaged about 38 minutes a game.^[8]

Professional career

Charlotte Hornets (2018–2021)

Graham was drafted in the 2nd round, 34th overall, of the 2018 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks before being traded to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for two second round picks.^[15] In the Hornets' first three summer league games, he averaged ten points and six assists per contest. However, he would miss the rest of summer league with a knee injury.^[16] Graham made his NBA debut on October 22, 2018, against the Toronto Raptors, recording no points and one assist in five and a half minutes of play.^[17]

On October 23, 2019, Graham scored 23 points along with eight assists and four rebounds in a 126–125 win over the Chicago Bulls. Graham hit six three-pointers to help the Hornets set a new franchise record for three-point field goals made in a single game.^[18] On December 11, 2019, Graham scored a career-high 40 points with five rebounds and five assists in a 113–108 win over the Brooklyn Nets.^[19]

Graham was featured on The Dodo's YouTube channel in June 2021, in a video about his basketball career and his life with his German Shepherd dog 'Charlotte', who is named after the Hornets.^[20][21]

New Orleans Pelicans (2021–2023)

On August 7, 2021, Graham was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in a three-team trade involving the Memphis Grizzlies.^[22] He made his Pelicans debut on October 20, recording 18 points and five assists in a 117–97 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.^[23] On November 26, Graham hit a game-winning three-pointer with 1.9 seconds left to give the Pelicans a 98–97 win over the Utah Jazz.^[24] On December 15, he hit a 61-foot, buzzer-beating shot to hoist the Pelicans to a 113–110 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The shot set the NBA record for the longest buzzer-beating game-winner in league history, beating out Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf's 55-foot shot in 1992 for the Denver Nuggets.^[25][26][27] On March 24, 2022, Graham scored a season-high 30 points, alongside two rebounds and four assists, in a 126–109 win over the Chicago Bulls.^[28] After a set of play-in tournament wins, the Pelicans qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2018 and faced the Phoenix Suns during their first-round series. Graham made his playoff debut on April 17, playing ten minutes in a 110–99 Game 1 loss.^[29]

San Antonio Spurs (2023–2024)

On February 9, 2023, Graham was traded, alongside four second-round picks, to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Josh Richardson.^[30] Graham made his Spurs debut a day later, recording a season-high 31 points, three rebounds and three assists in a 138–131 double overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons. Graham's 31 points were also the most points scored in a debut in Spurs history.^[31][32]

On August 2, 2023, Graham was suspended for two games without pay for pleading guilty to a DWI charge.^[33]

On April 12, 2024, Graham put up a game-winner in a 121–120 win over the Denver Nuggets.^[34]

On July 6, 2024, Graham was traded back to the Charlotte Hornets alongside a future second-round pick in exchange for cap space, but was waived immediately.^[35] On July 31, he signed with the Portland Trail Blazers,^[36] but was waived on October 17 after appearing in two preseason games.^[37]

Career statistics

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2018–19	Charlotte	46	3	14.7	.343	.281	.761	1.4	2.6	.5	.0	4.7
2019–20	Charlotte	63	53	35.1	.382	.373	.820	3.4	7.5	1.0	.2	18.2
2020–21	Charlotte	55	44	30.2	.377	.375	.842	2.7	5.4	.9	.1	14.8
2021–22	New Orleans	76	63	28.4	.363	.341	.843	2.3	4.2	.9	.2	11.9
2022–23	New Orleans	53	0	15.3	.368	.347	.746	1.4	2.2	.6	.2	5.3
	San Antonio	20	8	26.4	.380	.358	.750	2.5	4.0	.8	.3	13.0
2023–24	San Antonio	23	0	13.6	.352	.301	.813	1.6	2.1	.4	.1	5.0
Career		336	171	24.9	.371	.354	.812	2.3	4.3	.8	.2	11.1

Play-in

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2021	Charlotte	1	0	20.2	.125	.143	.500	2.0	4.0	1.0	.0	4.0
2022	New Orleans	2	0	5.3	.250	.000	–	.5	.0	.0	.0	1.0
Career		3	0	10.3	.167	.111	.500	1.5	2.0	.5	.0	3.0

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2022	New Orleans	6	0	10.0	.333	.357	.875	1.5	.7	.2	.2	4.0
Career		6	0	10.0	.333	.357	.875	1.5	.7	.2	.2	4.0

College

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2014–15	Kansas	29	0	17.8	.393	.425	.724	1.5	2.1	0.9	0.0	5.7
2015–16	Kansas	38	36	32.6	.460	.441	.744	3.3	3.7	1.4	0.1	11.3
2016–17	Kansas	36	36	35.3	.428	.388	.793	3.1	4.1	1.5	0.2	13.4
2017–18	Kansas	39	39	37.8	.400	.406	.827	4.0	7.2	1.6	0.1	17.3
Career		142	111	31.7	.422	.409	.787	3.1	4.5	1.4	0.1	12.3

References

1. "Devonte' Graham". Kansas Jayhawks. July 21, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
2. Newell, Jesse (May 12, 2016). "Appalachian State coach who let Devonte' Graham go says he has regrets". Retrieved June 14, 2017.
3. "Devonte Graham". Kansas Jayhawks. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
4. "Wins Over Ranked Foes Help Graham, Burton To Weekly Honors". Big 12 Sports. February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
5. "Nation's Best Lead All-Big 12 Men's Basketball Awards". Big 12 Sports. March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
6. "No. 1 Kansas overcomes No. 9 West Virginia to capture Big 12 title". ESPN. Associated Press. March 12, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
7. Bedore, Gary (September 19, 2016). "Devonté Graham's personality and play pleases Self, youngsters alike". Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
8. Trotter, Jake. In big moments, Devonte' Graham has been Kansas' X factor all season, ESPN, March 26, 2018.
9. "Three Teams Lead Men's Basketball Awards". Big 12 Sports. March 5, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
10. Galloway, Matt (April 9, 2017). "KU basketball guard Devonte' Graham returning for senior season". Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
11. Tait, Matt (October 13, 2017). "KU's Devonté Graham named Big 12 preseason player of the year". kusports.com. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
12. Smith, Benton (November 28, 2017). "Devonte' Graham and No. 2 Jayhawks too hot for Toledo". KUSports.com. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
13. "Graham's 35 carries No. 2 Kansas past Syracuse, 76–60". ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
14. Trotter, Jake (March 13, 2018). "Devonte' Graham unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year over Trae Young". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
15. Marks, Brenda (June 22, 2018). "Hornets trade up in NBA draft, select NC native in Kansas' Devonte' Graham". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
16. Bonnell, Rick (July 25, 2018). "There's good news regarding Charlotte Hornets rookie Devonte Graham's knee injury". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
17. Smith, Benton (October 31, 2018). "Devonte' Graham is headed to the G League". 'Hawks in the NBA. Lawrence Journal-World. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
18. "Hornets rookie Washington nets 27 in 126–125 win over Bulls". ESPN.com. October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
19. "Graham scores 1, Hornets rally to beat Nets 113–108". ESPN.com. December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
20. NBA Player's German Shepherd Is The Biggest Daddy's Girl | The Dodo Teammates, retrieved August 21, 2021
21. "Devonte Graham and his dog spread love on social media". KSNT News. June 28, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
22. "Pelicans acquire Valančiūnas and Graham in three-team trade with Grizzlies and Hornets". NBA.com. August 7, 2021.
23. "JOEL EMBIID, FURKAN KORKMAZ HELP 76ERS BEAT PELICANS 117-97". NBA.com. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
24. "GRAHAM'S 3-POINTER LIFTS PELICANS TO 98-97 WIN OVER JAZZ". NBA.com. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
25. "Watch: Devonte' Graham beats Thunder with NBA record buzzer-beater". Fansided. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
26. "Devonte' Graham Hit A 70-Footer At The Buzzer To Stun The Thunder". Uproxx. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
27. "Pelicans' Devonte' Graham makes miraculous 3/4-court, game-winning buzzer-beater to stun Thunder". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
28. "GRAHAM, MCCOLLUM LEAD PELICANS PAST BULLS 126-109". NBA.com. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
29. ""CLASSIC CHRIS" STELLAR DOWN STRETCH, SUNS BEAT PELS 110-99". NBA.com. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
30. "Pelicans acquire Josh Richardson". NBA.com. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
31. "Bogandovic's 32 lead Pistons to double OT win over Spurs". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
32. Guinhawa, Angelo (February 10, 2023). "Tim Duncan who? Devonte' Graham sets wild record never seen in Spurs history". ClutchPoints.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
33. "NBA suspends Spurs' Devonte' Graham for two games without pay". NBA.com. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
34. Pagaduan, Jedd (April 12, 2024). "Victor Wembanyama, Devonte Graham's heroics in Spurs' win vs. Nuggets spark proud Gregg Popovich reaction". ClutchPoints.com. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
35. "Charlotte Hornets Acquire Second-Round Pick And Devonte' Graham From San Antonio Spurs". NBA.com. July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
36. "Trail Blazers Sign Devonte' Graham". NBA.com. July 31, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
37. "Trail Blazers Waive Devonte' Graham". NBA.com. October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.

External links

• Kansas Jayhawks bio