Hey ?@TheSunDevils? nation time to welcome ?@JalenGraham9? !!! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/LJUKIKp9it
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) April 18, 2019
SUN DEVIL DATA
--Has a 7-2 wingspan and a 31.5" standing vertical jump
--Enters his junior year with 63 blocks and is shooting .594 (114-of-192) from the field
--Averaged 10.9 minutes per game in freshman year, then bounced to 24.4 in 2020-21
--Started career 12-of-34 (.353) from the free throw line in his first eight games, but is 19-of-25 (.760) in his past 13 entering 2021-22
--Jalen Graham wasn't forecast to help right away, but he may end up saving Arizona State (by Doug Haller, The Athletic/Nov. 13, 2019)
JALEN GRAHAM TOP SCORING GAMES
14 vs. Oregon State (Feb. 14, 2021)
14 at Arizona (Jan. 25, 2021)
12 vs. Stanford (Jan. 30, 2021)
12 vs. California (Jan. 28, 2021)
11 at Utah (Mar. 6, 2021)
11 vs. Washington State (Feb. 27, 2021)
JALEN GRAHAM TOP REBOUNDING GAMES
12 vs. Washington State (Feb. 27, 2021)
11 vs. Oregon State (Feb. 14, 2021)
11 at Arizona (Jan. 25, 2021)
9 vs. Oregon (Feb. 11, 2021)
JALEN GRAHAM TOP MINUTES
34:37 vs. Washington State/Mar. 10, 2021
33:00 vs. San Diego State/Dec. 10, 2020
29:50 vs. Oregon State/Feb. 14, 2021
29:37 vs. Washington State/Feb. 27, 2021
28:54 at Arizona/Jan. 25, 2020
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2020-21)
--Played in 21 of 25 games (started in 19), as three of the missed games were when he was sitting out for mono as he didn't play from Dec. 17-Jan. 20
--Went from Dec. 17 to Jan. 21 without playing (35 days) due to opponent COVID protocols (Incarnate Word/Utah), ASU COVID protocols (at UW/WSU) and then the mononucleosis (UCLA/USC)
--Team's leading rebounder in seven games
--Had nine games of double-figure points and three double-figure rebounding games
--Had double-doubles at Arizona and vs. Oregon State with 14/11 both games as the Arizona game was first one he played in 35 games
--Started the season 7-of-20 (.350) from the free throw line in his first eight games, but finished 19-of-25 (.760) in his final 13
JALEN GRAHAM PRE-MONO (7 GAMES)/POST-MONO (14 GAMES)
FGS: 17-32 (.531)/55-99 (.556)
PPG: 5.6/9.4
RPG: 3.0/6.31
pro tip: don’t jump with @JalenGraham9 ?? pic.twitter.com/OPIWxzPyKV
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) December 9, 2020
FRESHMAN YEAR (2019-20)
--Played in 28 games and started in two and averaged 10.9 minutes per game
--Shot 42-of-61 from the field (.689)
--Second on the team with 34 offensive rebounds and 29 blocks
--Started first two games of the year with Romello White sidelined
--Season high of 10 points in win over Central Connecticut State
--Seven rebounds (five offensive) in just 16 minutes in come-from-behind win over Arizona on Jan. 25, 2020
--Seven rebounds in win at Washington on Feb. 1 in just 16 minutes
--Helped lead ASU to road win over San Francisco in just his seventh game with nine points in 14 minutes
--Season high five blocks in season opener vs. Colorado in China
SUN DEVIL FRESHMAN BLOCKS (1978-79 TO PRESENT)
55, Mario Bennett, 1991-92
33, Jamal Faulkner, 1990-91
31, Ike Diogu, 2002-03
29, Jalen Graham, 2019-20
WHAT COACH HURLEY SAID WHEN HE SIGNED
"Jalen is a guy we can't wait to get to work with him. It is great to have another local guy on the roster who can really help us in the front court. He has great upside. Caleb is a terrific addition to program and a very hard worker and has a great future. Both of them can help as soon as they get on campus and we look forward to the energy they will bring."
IN HIGH SCHOOL
Averaged 15.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.6 blocks and 2.4 assists in 19 games. His scoring bests were 29 against Valley Vista and 25 points against Cesar Chavez while his high of 16 rebounds was in a win over Browne.
ASU MEN’S BASKETBALL FRESHMAN STARTERS SEASON OPENER (1972-73 TO 2019-20)
2019-2020: Jalen Graham
2018-2019: Luguentz Dort
2017-2018: Vitaliy Shibel
2016-2017: Sam Cunliffe
2014-2015: Tra Holder
2012-2013: Jahii Carson
2007-2008: Ty Abbott, James Harden, Jamelle McMillan
2006-2007: Christian Polk, Jerren Shipp
2003-2004: Tron Smith, Keith Wooden
2002-2003: Ike Diogu
1999-2000: Donnell Knight
1992-1993: Ron Riley
1991-1992: Mario Bennett, Tony Ronaldson
1990-1991: Jamal Faulkner, Stevin Smith
1986-1987: Tyrone Mitchell
1981-1982: Shawn Holiday
1985-1986: Alex Austin
1984-1985: Chris Sandle
1979-1980: Bryon Scott
1976-1977: Johnny Nash
1972-1973: Gary Jackson
GETTING TO KNOW JALEN GRAHAM
If you could have dinner with anyone from any era, who would it be and where? Anthony Davis, and I’d let him pick because he probably has a better spot than I do.
One word to describe your feeling when you were put on the ASU uniform for the first time? Electrified
You have a chance to pick the brain of any coach of any sport for one hour, who is it? Gregg Popovich
The most upset you have ever been on the court was…When we lost to UCLA in 2019-20 to snap the seven-game winning streak.
The happiest you have ever been on the court was…When we beat Arizona at a home game (January of 2020).
You have a chance to go watch one past sporting event live (any sport), what are you going to? Michael Jordan vs Utah Jazz game six or when Kobe dropped 81 vs. the Raptors.
MLB players pick a song to play on the PA system when they step up to the plate. You are a MLB player. What song is playing as you dig into the batter's box? Through the Wire, Tupac remix
What did like best about your hometown? How small it is.
A movie you have watched more than once and will watch again? The Other Guys
Past Sun Devil (any sport) you wish you could have watched compete? Kansas at Kansas
Favorite song from your favorite artist? 20 min by Lil Uzi Vert
Are you a good dancer? When is the last time you danced? I can Hit the Mop OD. It was probably a couple hours ago.
What is one of your favorite quotes? Kobe gaining Shaq’s respect quote.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Folding clothes.
What is your favorite form of exercise? Lifting weights for upper body.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career? My family, which is my sister, mother, brother and my old coach Eason. They have all been the reason I am where I am today.
If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be? MLK march on Washington.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Learn to sing like Chris Brown.
If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
What did you do growing-up that got you into trouble? Not being home before the lights outside turned on.
What story does your family always tell about you? When I was young, I would throw all my stuff out of my crib at night and my sister would laugh. When my parents would check on me and my sister, we would both act asleep.
What's your favorite TV show/series? The Office
If you were a character on a TV show/series, which one would you be? Killua off Hunter X Hunter
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it? Something simple like, Jalen’s Adventures.
Name one thing about yourself that most people don't know. That I only have been playing basketball since about ninth grade. My first love was football.
What is your favorite commercial? And I need cash nowwwww!!
Game/event where you learned the most from? Probably my high school game against Perry in the quarterfinals.
If you could live during any time period when/where would it be and why? To 1990 because I would play against Michael, Shaq and Kobe.
What is the most important thing that a parent/grandparent taught you? To be kind to others and do the right thing, even if it’s not something you want to do.
What was the single-biggest challenge of your life? A challenge I’m still in right now, which is to make it to the NBA.
What is your favorite road trip destination? Oregon, because of my family.
What toppings do you get on your pizza? Pineapple and pepperoni
How do you like your steak cooked? Medium rare
Favorite pro athlete you have been around? Russell Westbrook
Most underrated coach you have been around? Coach Duane Eason
What I know now that I wish I knew in high school…I wish I knew how to really work hard.
Typically, I am in bed and lights are out at…10:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Last movie I saw…42
What was the first concert you ever attended? Drake vs. Lil Wayne
The most played song on my iPhone is…Start This Over by Babyface Ray
My favorite month is…May
What is your favorite holiday and why? Christmas, because it’s finally decent weather in AZ and the gifts.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Goofy, passionate, self-made
What is the most useful app you have downloaded? goPuff
What is your best childhood sports memory? Pecos, I dropped 47 in a red game when I was 12.
You have just won the lottery, what is your first purchase? A house and a car for momma.
What is your favorite sport to watch? Basketball
What is your favorite food? Spaghetti
What do you miss the most about being a kid? Just the time you have to yourself.
What is the hardest thing that you have ever done? The Hurley…ask coach Hurley about this one.
What is your favorite candy? Kit Kat
One sentence to describe your family? My family is crazy, compassionate, we keep to ourselves and protect each other, even through the fire.
What is a place that you have always wanted to visit? Paris
What was the most exciting game you have ever been a part of? Oregon game at ASU in 2020.