Graves taking a closer look at recruitment

When Bob Huggins was forced out of Cincinnati, the prep scene in the Queen City took a big hit, too. Especially, Adrion Graves. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound shooting guard from nearby Hughes High School is now rethinking his recruitment now that the Bearcat leader is no longer running the UC program.

Down to a pair of schools, Graves looked to be in the home stretch of his recruitment but when the three-star prospect caught word of the movement at UC, things changed.

"When I saw that, I decided to reopen everything," Graves said. "I was ready to jump on Dayton or Cincinnati but now I'm going to wait. I really liked Bob Huggins."

Now that assistant coach Andy Kennedy has taken the helm under an interim basis, Graves said he's still considering the Bearcats based on his relationship with the new coach.

"I know him really well," Graves said of Kennedy. "It's still the same with them. I'm really interested in them and Dayton but I want to take some visits to some schools outside of the city and look around."

Still needing to take the ACT, which he will do on Oct. 8, Graves can not take official visits but he said he's considering a couple of unofficial visits this fall outside of Ohio. He has a couple of options to consider. Tennessee, Arkansas, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame recently called and inquired, Graves said.

Stability takes on a whole new meaning now for the class of 2006 prospect. Graves said he will look at the coaching at each of his options a little closer now.

"I'm basically looking at how long the coaches have been there. That's always been the main thing with me," Graves said. "I want to be comfortable with my coach. I want him to be there. I know I'm not going to leave on the coach so I hope he stays there with me."

As recruiting sits on a momentary pause, Graves said he's ready for his senior season on the hardwood at Hughes. After being bounced in the first round last season, Graves is hoping that a great summer session for the team helps propel them deeper into the playoffs.

With the maturation of class of 2008 stud Yancey Gates, the aggressive play of 2007 forward Christian Siakam and new addition Lonnie Hayes, a dynamic scoring guard, things are looking good for Graves and his young team.

Graves is the No. 6 ranked player in the class of 2006 from the talent-rich state of Ohio.