Kristian Ferrell
Will Graves, the son of former Gonzaga women's head coach Kelly Graves, played basketball for Gonzaga University from 2019 to 2022 as a walk-on. During his time with the team, he appeared in 39 games over three seasons, recording 25 points and 12 rebounds. In his final season, he saw action in 16 games and amassed 30 minutes of playing time, recording 11 points with a season-high of three against Portland. Will Graves has since transferred from Gonzaga, but his time with the team was marked by his dedication and impact on the court, continuing a family legacy with the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Will Graves |
| Position | Guard |
| Height | 6-foot-5 |
| College | Gonzaga University |
| Years Played | 2019-2022 |
| Games Played | 39 |
| Points | 25 |
| Rebounds | 12 |
| Senior Year Games | 16 |
| Senior Year Points | 11 |
| Final Fours Attended | 3 |
| Role | Walk-on, Graduate Assistant |
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What You'll Learn
Will Graves' time at Gonzaga
Will Graves, a former Gonzaga walk-on, has had a remarkable journey in basketball, attending three of the last six Final Fours, each time in a different capacity: first as a son, then as a player, and finally as a graduate assistant.
Graves' connection to Gonzaga began long before he stepped onto the court as a player. Growing up, he was immersed in the world of Gonzaga basketball, as his father, Kelly Graves, was the Gonzaga women's head coach for 14 years before taking on the same role at the University of Oregon. It's no surprise that Will, too, would develop a passion for the sport and dream of one day playing for the Zags.
That dream became a reality when Graves joined the Gonzaga Bulldogs as a walk-on guard, wearing the number 35 jersey. His time as a player at Gonzaga spanned three seasons, from 2019 to 2022, during which he appeared in 39 games and made a notable impact with his shooting prowess. In his senior year (2021-22), he saw action in 16 games, recording 11 points and grabbing a season-high three rebounds against Portland.
Graves' time at Gonzaga was not just about the statistics, but also about the intangibles he brought to the team. As a walk-on, he played a crucial role in conditioning the regular rotation, acting as an opponent during practices, and helping to prepare the team for competition. His dedication to the sport and the team was recognized, and he was honoured during senior night in his final season.
After his playing career at Gonzaga, Graves entered the transfer portal in March 2022, with one year of eligibility remaining as a graduate transfer. While his time as a Zag player came to an end, his impact on the team and his full-circle moment of representing the school he grew up with will always be cherished by the Graves family.
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Will Graves' transfer from Gonzaga
Will Graves, the son of University of Oregon women's head basketball coach Kelly Graves, transferred from Gonzaga in 2022. Graves spent three seasons at Gonzaga as a walk-on, playing a total of 39 games and averaging 0.6 points and 0.3 rebounds in 1.9 minutes per game. With limited playing time, Graves still managed to land some exciting shots, including seven three-pointers during the season.
Graves entered the NCAA transfer portal as a graduate transfer, with one year of eligibility remaining. Standing at 6-foot-5, the guard is the youngest son of former Gonzaga women's coach Kelly Graves, who moved to the University of Oregon. Graves joined the Bulldogs from Lane Community College in Eugene, where he played for one season at the junior college level.
During his time at Gonzaga, Graves went undefeated in home games, posting a 45-0 record. He was honoured during senior night in the 2021-22 season, which was his final year at the university. Following his time at Gonzaga, Graves went on to play for Southern Oregon University.
Graves has since reflected on his time at Gonzaga fondly, stating that he is "pretty convinced" that basketball is what he is "meant to do". He has also achieved success in his post-playing career, serving as a graduate assistant at Florida and reaching three of the last six Final Fours, a rare feat.
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Will Graves' family connections to Gonzaga
Will Graves' family has strong connections to Gonzaga, with his father, Kelly Graves, being the former Gonzaga women's basketball coach. Kelly Graves coached the Gonzaga women's team from 2000 to 2014, a period of 14 years, before taking on the same role at Oregon. During his time at Gonzaga, Kelly amassed an impressive record of 316-136, winning 10 West Coast Conference titles and reaching the NCAA Tournament seven times.
Will, a 6-foot-5-inch basketball player, joined the Gonzaga men's basketball team as a walk-on, fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing for his dream school. He grew up on Gonzaga's court, idolizing former Gonzaga stars such as Gary Bell, Kevin Pangos, and Kelly Olynyk. Will's older brother, Jack, is also in the coaching profession, working as an assistant coach at NWAC women's power Lane, while his other brother, Max, works for Soccer Without Borders in Baltimore.
The Graves family's connection to Gonzaga runs deep, with Kelly stating that despite moving away, they remained "Zag fans" and always cherished their association with the university. Will's journey to Gonzaga was facilitated by his father's relationship with Gonzaga coach Mark Few, highlighting the strong family ties and support that helped him achieve his dream.
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Will Graves' playing career
Will Graves, a 6-foot-5 guard, had a playing career that spanned several colleges. His journey began at Lane Community College in Eugene, where he spent a year before transferring to Gonzaga University. At Gonzaga, Graves was a walk-on player, appearing in 39 games across three seasons from 2019 to 2022. During his time with the Bulldogs, he compiled 25 points and 12 rebounds, showcasing his talent and contributing to the team's success.
Graves' time at Gonzaga held special significance as it was his dream school, and he had grown up watching his father, Kelly Graves, coach the Gonzaga women's team for 14 years. Wearing the Gonzaga uniform was an emotional moment for both Will and his father, marking a full-circle moment for the family. Will's determination and skills earned him recognition during senior night in his final season, even with limited playing time.
Following his stint at Gonzaga, Graves entered the transfer portal in March 2022, with one year of eligibility remaining as a graduate transfer. He joined the Southern Oregon University Raiders for the 2021-22 season, capping off his playing career.
Graves' impact extended beyond his playing career, as he went on to serve as a graduate assistant, contributing to the team's success from the sidelines. He was part of three Final Fours, one as a player, one as a graduate assistant, and one as the son of a coach, showcasing his deep connection to the sport and the prestigious company he keeps.
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Will Graves' post-Gonzaga career
Will Graves played basketball at Gonzaga from 2019 to 2022, appearing in 39 games over three seasons and compiling 25 points and 12 rebounds. After his time at Gonzaga, he played for a pro team in the Dominican Republic before turning his attention to coaching.
Graves was hired as a graduate assistant at Pepperdine under new coach Ed Schilling. However, after about a month on the job, he was offered a position with the Florida Gators, which he took. As a first-year grad assistant on former San Francisco coach Todd Golden's staff, Graves' duties centered around player workouts and reviewing game videos of Florida's defense.
Graves has now gone to three of the past six Final Fours, one as a son, one as a player, and one as a graduate assistant. He believes he is in the right profession and is loving it.
Graves is the son of former Gonzaga women's coach Kelly Graves, who is now at the University of Oregon. He is also close with AJ Few, Bulldogs coach Mark Few's son, whom he has known since the fifth grade and roomed with for three years at Gonzaga.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Graves is a former Gonzaga walk-on and the son of Kelly Graves, the former Gonzaga women's head coach and current University of Oregon women's head basketball coach.
Will Graves is a guard.
Will Graves has attended three of the last six Final Fours, one as a son, one as a player, and one as a graduate assistant.
Will Graves played a total of 39 games over three seasons at Gonzaga, appearing in 16 games during the 2021-22 season.
Yes, Will Graves entered the transfer portal in March 2022 with one year of eligibility remaining.
