Jeff Graves Update

Jeff Graves, a burly 6-9, 262 pound power forward/center from Iowa Western C.C. in Council Bluffs, Ia., finished up his official visit to Illinois. Sources close to Graves said he had a very good trip and is seriously considering Illinois as an option.

However, Graves will now take a visit to Kansas this weekend, according to our sources. Some Illinois fans have wondered whether their school has another scholarship to give. They do. JR Morris is not part of the Illinois pictured. Also, sources in the Big Ten tell us that Frank Williams has indicated he will leave after this season, opening up another scholarship.

Graves, who visited Long Beach State back in early September, is also interested in Florida State and Louisville.

Morris had said that there wass an outside chance that Graves could flip flop his trips with FSU and Kansas. It appears he has done so. Kansas had been pushing hard to get Graves in for its "Late Night with Roy Williams" celebration that weekend.

The fifth school on Graves' list, is of course, Long Beach State.

Three other colleges -- Missouri, Oklahoma and Indiana -- have an outside shot at landing Graves. Those schools are hoping to get him to officially visit should one of his trips to the above four programs fall through.

Tennessee is no longer being considered this fall by Graves.

A native of Lees Summit, Mo., Graves established himself as one of the top pure power players in the junior college class of 2002. Blessed with a huge frame and great hands, he is nearly impossible to dislodge from the low post and scores consistently once he receives the ball on the blocks.

We will keep you posted on Graves' recruitment over the next several weeks, so stay tuned!