2014 PG Graham Shuns State, Picks Kansas

Devonte Graham, the best remaining PG in the 2014 class (who tweeted that he was down to Kansas and NC State) chose the Jayhawks over the Pack today, according to ESPNs Jeff Goodman.

Devonte Graham told ESPN that departure of Naadir Tharpe yesterday factored into his decision to choose Kansas over NC State.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) May 2, 2014

Yesterday news was made official that Kansas PG Naadir Tharpe was leaving Kansas via transfer. Today Graham slides in to the PG conversation for the Jayhawks with his commitment. Goodman says the transfer of Tharpe factored into his decision, but you have to wonder if the impending commitment of Graham and the array of combo guards Kansas was the driver behind his decision.

Either way, State missed out here. This was a hometown kid who knew the staff and players really well, however this is the problem when you have a young PG who seemingly has the job locked up for the next 3 seasons. Barber is really good and going to get better, so anyone coming in doesn’t have much chance of completely dethroning him. Either they’ll sit behind him for 3 years or end up splitting minutes in some fashion. Neither of those options seem that good when you’re a top 50 prospect looking to find a good fit for the next 4 years.

State will now have to go with a Barber/Lacey combination at the point which really isn’t all that bad.