Haverford School’s Silas Graham is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week (Dec. 16-22)

By Bruce Adams | badams@mainlinemedianews.com

The 6-foot-4 sophomore guard, a first team All-Inter-Ac boys’ basketball selection as a freshman, has led the Fords to a 4-0 start (12 of Dec. 10) and was named the Most Valuable Player of the recent McBride Classic. Graham displays a wide range of skills, and averaged 14.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 4.4 apg during his freshman season. His father, Nat Graham, is an assistant coach for the University of Pennsylvania’s men’s basketball team. Haverford School basketball head coach Bernie Rogers said, “Silas makes a huge impact on the game in a variety of ways, he makes winning plays and is a joy to coach.”

Q: What aspect of your game did you work on most during the past off-season?

A: An aspect of my game I worked on the most in the offseason skill-wise was shooting, whether it be off the catch or off the dribble. Along with that, I feel like becoming more of a leader as I get older is important as well — just always staying positive even when as a team we are struggling, and encouraging teammates while also pushing them to play hard and play as well as we can.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in competitive basketball. You are 6-foot-4 — have you always been a guard?

A: When I first started playing AAU basketball I was my team’s starting center. I was the tallest kid on the team. I think I was around 5-foot-6 in 3rd grade. I grew to 6-2 around 8th grade and started playing up. I was no longer the tallest or biggest kid on the court and had to find other ways to impact the game. As I’ve grown over the last couple years it has become easier to incorporate my previous big skills with my newfound guard skills.

Q: What have been the most important things you have learned from your father — on and off the court?

A: I think confidence mostly. He has always believed in me more than anyone else and he constantly tells me how good I am and how good I can become. Also just being around basketball as much as I have has helped my basketball IQ increase and allowed me to learn stuff about the game. My dad has always been good at telling me how to get better in a way he knows I’ll actually take the coaching, because sometimes it’s hard to listen to your parents.

Q: Have you had any other influential basketball mentors, and if so, what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?

A: Coach Rogers and the whole staff at Haverford have taught me a lot through basketball — just learning to read the game and always make the play that will help our team win. But Coach Rogers has not just taught me basketball — he always wants us to take what he is saying to do on the court and apply it off the court. He always says “Be a good guy.” My mom has also helped me with basketball. She will always rebound for me and console me after a tough loss and she is just always there for me when I need her.

Q: How do you view your leadership role – on and off the court – as a third-year varsity starter?

A: I try to get the team going and talking on defense and into the game from the tip-off. I think a good way to do this is to bring my own energy and talk like crazy and others will follow. Also the older guys bring the same energy every day, whether it be practice or a game. That really sets the tone for the younger guys to bring the same energy.

Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 4 for Haverford School basketball – is there a reason you picked that number, does it have any special meaning to you?

A: My mom wore No. 4 in high school for volleyball and basketball, so I’ve followed in her footsteps. It has been my number for as long as I’ve known except for my 8th grade year, when senior Luke Rasmussen had it.

Q: What has been your favorite experience as a Haverford School basketball player to date?

A: During my 8th grade year in a game against Cristo Rey over winter break I scored 30 points. I feel like it really helped me settle in and become more confident and comfortable playing varsity basketball.

Q: Who is your favorite basketball player and why?

A: Lebron, because he’s still a top 15 player at age 40, which is insane. He’s without a doubt the GOAT now.

Q: Tell us a little about your club basketball career — what has been your most memorable accomplishment/experience with East Coast Power?

A: We went to an invitational tournament in South Carolina this summer, as the only independent team there — we played well and it was overall a great experience.

Q: What is your favorite academic course at Haverford School?

A: I really enjoy History right now.

Fun facts – Silas Graham

Favorite book: Lord of the Flies.

Favorite author: Rick Riordan.

Favorite TV show: Breaking Bad.

Favorite movie: Shawshank Redemption.

Favorite athlete: Lebron James.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Earfquake, Tyler, the Creator.

Favorite team: Sixers.

Favorite place to visit: “Toronto, Canada. My family lives up there.”

Favorite pre-game meal: PB&J sandwich

Family members: parents Nat and Kelly, younger sister Noelle, younger brother Dashiell.

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