Graham Signs With Jaguars

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta State head men’s basketball coach Dip Metress announced Wednesday the signing of Michael Graham to a national letter-of-intent. Graham will join the Jaguar Basketball program for the fall, 2012 semester.

A 6-5, 202-pound forward from Largo (Md.) High School, Graham helped lead the Lions to a 22-5 record in 2011-12 and an appearance in the Class AA state championship game. He averaged 14.7 ppg., and 8.8 rpg., as a senior.

“Mike is another DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia area) recruit for us and he possesses very quick bounce,” Metress said. “Mike comes from a winning program and we are excited about bringing in a player of his caliber into our program.”

Under Metress, ASU has established itself as one of the nation’s elite programs. The Jaguars made five consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 from 2007 through 2011, including three straight trips to the Elite Eight in 2008, 2009 and 2010. ASU has won 17 or more games in six consecutive seasons, including a pair of 30-win seasons in 2009 and 2011.

Graham joins Florida junior-college transfer Ryan Weems, North Carolina prep guard Keshun Sherrill and Flagler (Fla.) transfer Chad July as the first four additions to the Jaguar program in 2012. ASU is expected to return four starters and seven lettermen from last season’s squad that posted a 17-11 record and advanced to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinals.