Jeff Graves Verbals To Kansas

Jeff Graves, a burly 6-9, 262 pound power forward/center from Iowa Western C.C. in Council Bluffs, Ia., committed to Kansas. Graves had taken an official visit there this past weekend for Midnight Madness.

He had also had a very good trip to the University of Illinois. Graves, who visited Long Beach State back in early September, was also interested in Florida State and Louisville.

Kansas had been pushing hard to get Graves in for its "Late Night with Roy Williams" celebration that weekend. And they succeeded.

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

Three other colleges -- Missouri, Oklahoma and Indiana -- had an outside shot at landing Graves. Tennessee was 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.

Graves averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season, shooting a robust 64 percent from the field. He played alongside St. Louis recruit Kenny Brown in the frontcourt at Iowa Western, but according to Coach Lovewell, he is in significantly better shape entering his sophomore year for the Reivers.

By all accounts, Graves was dominant last month at Jerry Mullen's JUCO Showcase in Tulsa, as Kansas and a number of other high majors intently watched him.