Two potential recruits appeared on the Virginia basketball program's radar last week, according to various media reports. Devonte Graham, a combo guard from Brewster Academy, and Marial Shayok, a wing from Canada, have both been linked to the Cavaliers. Virginia has room for two more scholarship players for the 2014-2015 season.
Graham's story is a bit of a saga. After initially signing to play at Appalachian State, the Raleigh native asked for a release from his letter of intent. A standoff ensued as then App State coach Jason Capel, suspecting NC State had tampered with Graham's recruitment, refused the release. Graham then enrolled at Brewster Academy for a post grad season. Appalachian State finally granted Graham's release this week after Capel was relieved of his head coaching duties.(As a side note, Virginia fans will remember Wojciechowski as a noted floor-slapper. "Wojo" was also the Duke assistant who gave the halftime TV interview during the 2014 ACC title game after Coach K's marker-throwing tantrum. Virginia went on to win that game and the ACC title...but I digress.)
Virgina fans should be quite pleased with these recent developments as both Graham and Shayok would make the roster better. As we noted last week, the recent departure of Teven Jones has given Virginia coach Tony Bennett more flexibility to add talent and depth. If the Hoos were to land either of Graham or Shayok, Bennett would have done just that. If the Hoos were able to land both, it would be a coup. Stay tuned to Streaking The Lawn for more as these stories develop.