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Catching Up With Joey Graham

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 20, 2008

Joey Graham, the former Brandon High standout who led the program to the Class 5A state championship game in 2000, is in his third season with the NBA's Toronto Raptors. He averages 3.9 points and 2.0 rebounds per game for the Raptors (28-23), who are fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.

Graham was the 16th overall pick in the 2005 draft, the earliest draft selection for any Hillsborough County product.

After high school, Graham and twin brother Stephen, also a Brandon alum, signed with Central Florida. Two seasons later, they both transferred to Oklahoma State.

His finished his career at Brandon with 1,023 points and was named The Tampa Tribune's Boys Basketball Player of the Year as a senior.

The Tribune recently caught up with the 6-foot-7 forward, whose team hosts the Orlando Magic tonight (7, Sun Sports).

The Raptors are fifth in the Eastern Conference. How do you think the season has gone for the franchise this season?

The season is going pretty good. We're above .500. With the group of guys we have, we're looking to make a run at the playoffs.

Some analysts argue the Eastern Conference is, and has been for years, weaker than the West. Do you think it's more balanced than people say?

Because of a few trades, with K.G (Kevin Garnett, to Boston) and Shaq (to Phoenix), it's pretty much even now. It used to be the West was very dominate, but any team can win on any night.

Who has been the toughest person to guard since you've been in the NBA?

Oh, man. Between D-Wade Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant. Kobe, he's just tough. He's going to get his calls and he can shoot and he's so athletic. D-Wade, he's just super fast.

You do so much traveling. What is your favorite city to visit?

Always playing at home. Orlando, Miami and Dallas. I like all of the southern teams. Anywhere it's hot. ... L.A. or anywhere in Florida.

You also have a lot of down time on the road. What do you do to pass the time?

Most of the time I bowl, I watch movies and I like to eat. When we get to a new city, we get a bite to eat and we go check out a movie. Me and rookie Jamario Moon. He's like me. We're both comedians.

What was it like hearing your named called during the NBA draft?

It was a dream come true. I got real emotional that day. I wasn't there, actually. I was in San Antonio that day with my agent. They called and told me, "Congratulations, you're a Toronto Raptor." I came up the next day for the press conference.

Your brother, Stephen, is now with the Indian Pacers. What is it like when you two meet on the court?

It gets real hostile and intense laughing. Our family comes up. It's just like when we were growing up, trying to bloody each other's noses. The coaches and the media know what to expect. They bring it up every time.

Can you remember your first highlight on "SportsCenter?"

I can remember a few. I remember when I had a dunk on former Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning. I dunked on him my rookie and my sophomore year. I think me and Vince Carter were the only two guys to dunk on him twice. At the All-Star Game last year, I was at his party and he pulled me aside and told me I had to stop making him look bad.

What is your favorite Brandon coach Mark Hermann memory?

Favorite Mark Hermann moment? I remember one day when we were in practice and me and Coach had a free-throw shooting contest. He said something that made me chuckle forever. He said, "It's like riding a bike." He was swishing every shot he made. Whenever I step to the free-throw line, I think about it.

Nick Williams

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