New Orleans point guard Devonte’ Graham lists the 2018 draft night as his best moment as an athlete, but he’s had plenty of memorable events in basketball, including a decorated four-year college career at the University of Kansas. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder added another highlight last week, when he sank a game-winning three-pointer to beat Utah on Friday on the Jazz’s home floor. Graham discussed his background with Pelicans.com for the latest “Off the Court” Q&A article:
Best moment as an athlete: “Hearing my name get called in the NBA draft is at the top of everything I’ve accomplished.”
How he chose his current uniform number of 4: “That’s when I started playing basketball. I was 4 years old. It’s been with me and I try to keep that number everywhere I go.”
One thing fans might be surprised to know about him: “I have a brother with the same first name as mine. I don’t think anyone knows that. It’s the same name, but spelled differently.”
Favorite thing about New Orleans: “I love the food so far.”
Pregame ritual: “I’m a big nap guy before games. I tell my peoples don’t call me during certain times, because it’s my nap time, but my mom calls me between those times, every time. She does it on purpose.” [smiles]
First job: “Working at a summer camp, being an intern working with kids. It was not a basketball camp. It was a kids camp where the parents dropped them off every day before work during the summertime.”
Favorite athlete as a kid: “Allen Iverson. He was a big inspiration for me. I love No. 4, but I used to wear No. 3 and I had the braids. I wear a sleeve and got braids and all type of stuff.”
What he’d be doing if he weren’t an NBA player: “I’d probably be coaching, maybe high school, maybe middle school. I don’t know if I’d be ready for college yet. But something within the game of basketball, definitely.”
Closest friends currently playing on other NBA teams: “I’ve got my guy Svi Mykhailiuk (of the Toronto Raptors), a lot of guys from the Hornets, Donovan Mitchell. I know so many people in the NBA. Wayne Selden (of the New York Knicks). I’ve got too many.” [smiles]