A.J. Graves
- School
- Butler University
- Position
- Guard
- Ht
- 6'1
- PPG
- 13.6
- RPG
- 2.9
- APG
- 2.2
Classroom
Graves was a first-team academic all-America pick last season. A math major, he’s a two-time Horizon League All-Academic choice, and he was named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District 5 team in 2006-07. He’s been named to the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll and the Butler Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. He was named a Josten’s Scholar-Athlete at Butler for 2006.
Character
Graves is a highly respected member of the university and the Butler basketball team. He was named a team captain for the Bulldogs this season, and he’s a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. He’s been a leader by example on the team with his tireless work in the gym and in the weight room.
Community
Graves has participated with teammates as a server at the Soup Kitchen at North United Methodist Church in Indianapolis each fall that he’s been at Butler. He’s also been a guest reader at local schools as part of the “Bookin with the Bulldogs” school reading program.
Competition
Graves was the leading scorer for Butler’s record-setting 29-7 team last year. He started 34 games and averaged 16.9 points. He finished second in NCAA Division I in free throw shooting (.948). He was named MVP of the NIT Preseason Tip-Off, and was chosen honorable mention All-America by both the Associated Press (A.P.) and the NABC. He was picked as a Mid-Major All-American by CollegeInsider.com. Graves was a first team NABC All-District 10 player, a first team USBWA All-District V performer and a first team All-Horizon League pick. He was named Horizon League Preseason Player of the Year this season. Graves helped lead Butler to the best season in basketball history as a junior in 2006-07. The Bulldogs won the NIT Preseason Tip-Off with consecutive victories over Notre Dame, Indiana, Tennessee and Gonzaga, captured a co-championship in the Horizon League and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. The Bulldogs were ranked in the Top 25 for a school and league record 16 consecutive weeks.
