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Will Graves, born on May 15, 1988, is an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for North Carolina and later played professionally in several countries, including Japan, Argentina, Venezuela, Iceland, Israel, and Portugal. In addition to his basketball career, Graves is also a rapper who has released songs under the name Willy G. Standing at 6'5 to 6'6, he is a shooting guard/small forward who last played for FC Porto of the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol (LPB).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Thomas Graves |
| Date of Birth | 15 May 1988 |
| Height | 6'5" or 6'6" |
| Position | Guard/Shooting Guard/Small Forward |
| Jersey Numbers | 15, 35 |
| Teams | Akita Northern Happinets, Keflavík, Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Haifa, FC Porto, Apoel Nicosia, Southern Oregon University, Gonzaga University |
| Leagues | B2 League (Japan), Liga A 1 South (Argentina), Express League (Iceland), Israeli League, Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol (Portugal), Division A (Cyprus), CCC |
| High School | James B. Dudley High School, Greensboro, North Carolina |
| College | University of North Carolina |
| Recording Name | Willy G |
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What You'll Learn
- Will Graves' career began at the University of North Carolina
- He has played for teams in Japan, Argentina, Venezuela, Iceland, Israel and Portugal
- In 2017, he suffered a season-ending injury in a game against Maccabi Tel Aviv
- Off the court, he is a rapper who publishes music under the name Willy G
- He is a 6'5'' shooting guard/small forward
Will Graves' career began at the University of North Carolina
Will Graves, born on May 15, 1988, in Eugene, Oregon, is an American professional basketball player. Standing at six feet five inches (some sources say six feet six inches) tall, he is a shooting guard/small forward who last played for FC Porto of the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol (LPB) in Portugal.
Graves continued to showcase his talent during his junior year at the University of North Carolina, averaging 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds. On February 10, 2011, Graves signed with the Akita Northern Happinets of Japan, marking the beginning of his professional career. He quickly made an impact, setting a career-high in points on April 3, 2011, when he scored 41 points, along with 20 rebounds and 5 assists, in a Japan - B2 League game against Niigata Albirex.
Following his successful stint in Japan, Graves went on to play in several other countries. He had notable performances in Argentina, Venezuela, Iceland, Israel, and Portugal, showcasing his versatility and skill on an international stage. In addition to his basketball prowess, Graves is also a rapper, releasing original songs under the recording name Willy G.
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He has played for teams in Japan, Argentina, Venezuela, Iceland, Israel and Portugal
Will Graves is an American professional basketball player who has played for teams across the world, including in Japan, Argentina, Venezuela, Iceland, Israel and Portugal.
Graves' professional career began in Japan, where he played for Akita Northern Happinets in the B2 League. On April 3, 2011, he scored 41 points, 20 rebounds, and 5 assists in a game against Niigata Albirex, achieving a career-high in points. He also set a career-high in rebounds on April 2, 2011, grabbing 21 rebounds in another game against Niigata Albirex.
In Argentina, Graves played for Boca Juniors in Liga A 1 South. On October 5, 2011, he achieved 5 steals, along with 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in a game against Penarol Mar de Plata.
Graves then moved to Iceland, signing with Keflavik of the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild on October 6, 2014. In a game against KR Reykjavik on October 30, 2014, he recorded 3 blocks, 23 points, and 7 rebounds.
He also spent time playing basketball in Israel, signing with Maccabi Haifa on August 4, 2017. On February 27, 2017, he recorded 34 points and 8 rebounds in a game against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Graves later signed with Hapoel Haifa of the Israeli National League on August 8, 2018, but his time with the team was short-lived as he parted ways with them before appearing in any official games.
Finally, Graves played for FC Porto of the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol (LPB) in Portugal. He signed with the team on February 27, 2019, and averaged 13 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 20 games played.
Graves' impact on these leagues showcases his versatility and skill as a basketball player, contributing to his legacy in the sport.
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In 2017, he suffered a season-ending injury in a game against Maccabi Tel Aviv
On April 20, 2017, Will Graves suffered a season-ending injury in a game against Maccabi Tel Aviv. This was a devastating setback for the talented American basketball player, who had been pursuing a successful career in the sport since his high school days.
Graves, born on May 15, 1988, in Eugene, Oregon, had always shown great promise on the court. During his time at James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, he averaged an impressive 25.1 points and shot 44 percent from beyond the arc, leading his team to two state championships. His outstanding performance earned him the title of North Carolina High School Player of the Year in 2006.
Following his stellar high school career, Graves went on to play college basketball for the University of North Carolina. He spent three years with the team, averaging 9.8 points and pulling down 4.6 rebounds in his junior year. On February 10, 2011, he signed with the Akita Northern Happinets of Japan, officially beginning his professional journey.
Graves' professional career took him to various countries, including Japan, Argentina, Venezuela, Iceland, Israel, and Portugal. He showcased his skills and made an impact wherever he went. In Israel, Graves joined Maccabi Haifa in 2014 and helped them reach the 2016 Israeli League Playoffs as the third seed. He also participated in the 2016 Israeli League All-Star Game, further solidifying his reputation as a talented player.
However, the 2017 season took a turn for the worst when Graves faced Maccabi Tel Aviv. The specifics of his injury are not publicly available, but it was severe enough to bring his season to an early close. Despite this setback, Graves persevered and continued his basketball journey.
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Off the court, he is a rapper who publishes music under the name Willy G
William Thomas Graves, born on May 15, 1988, is an American professional basketball player with a prolific career. He played college basketball for North Carolina and later played professionally in several countries, including Japan, Argentina, Venezuela, Iceland, Israel, and Portugal.
Willy G's musical journey began while he was still playing basketball. Balancing both passions, he found an outlet in music to express his thoughts and experiences. It is not uncommon for athletes to have artistic pursuits outside of their sport, and rapping has become a popular avenue for many basketball players to showcase their talents off the court.
Graves is not alone in his dual pursuits; several other basketball players have also ventured into the music industry. Some have even found tremendous success, such as Damian Lillard, who raps under the name Dame D.O.L.L.A, and Lonzo Ball, who released his debut album in 2020. These athletes-turned-musicians showcase their versatility and creativity, using music as a form of self-expression beyond the confines of the basketball court.
Willy G's music provides a glimpse into his life and experiences. His lyrics may draw inspiration from his basketball career, personal struggles, or life experiences, offering fans a different perspective on his journey. While his on-court performance speaks for itself, his music allows him to connect with his fans on a deeper level, fostering a community that appreciates both his athletic prowess and his creative endeavours.
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He is a 6'5'' shooting guard/small forward
Will Graves is a 6'5" shooting guard/small forward. He was born on May 15, 1988, in Eugene, Oregon, and played high school basketball at James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. During his time at Dudley High, he averaged 25.1 points and shot 44% from beyond the arc, leading his team to two state championships. His impressive high school career earned him the title of North Carolina High School Player of the Year in 2006.
Graves went on to play college basketball for the University of North Carolina, where he averaged 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in his junior year. He then transferred to Gonzaga University, where he played from 2019 to 2022, appearing in 39 games over three seasons and compiling 25 points and 12 rebounds. During his senior year (2021-22), he saw action in 16 games, recording 11 points and a season-high three against Portland.
Graves started his professional career on February 10, 2011, when he signed with the Akita Northern Happinets of Japan. On April 3, 2011, he set a career-high in points, scoring 41 points, along with 20 rebounds and 5 assists, in a game against Niigata Albirex. He also had a notable performance on April 2, 2011, grabbing 21 rebounds and scoring 22 points in another game against Niigata Albirex.
Following his time in Japan, Graves played in several countries, including Argentina, Venezuela, Iceland, Israel, and most recently, Portugal. On October 6, 2014, he signed with Keflavik of the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild. During his time in Israel, he recorded a career-high 34 points in a game against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Graves then signed with FC Porto of the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol (LPB) on February 27, 2019. In 20 games played for Porto, he averaged 13 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, helping them reach the Portuguese League Semifinals.
Outside of basketball, Graves is also a rapper who has published original songs under the recording name Willy G.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Graves is 6 feet 5 inches or 6 feet 6 inches tall, depending on the source.
Will Graves is a shooting guard/small forward.
Will Graves has played for the Akita Northern Happinets, Keflavík, Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Haifa, and FC Porto. He has also played college basketball for North Carolina, Gonzaga University, and Southern Oregon University.
