When he was a sophomore, most of the action that Justin DeGraaf saw on the basketball court for Center Grove was during junior varsity games, with an occasional varsity cameo during mop-up time.
With the Trojans graduating a pair of starters, though, DeGraaf knew there was an opportunity for him to play a bigger role in 2018-19, and the 6-foot-7 forward took full advantage.
DeGraaf has not only solidified himself as a starter on one of the state’s top teams, but he’s blossomed into one of the team’s most important players. Going into Friday’s game against Class 4A No. 2 Carmel, DeGraaf is the second-leading scorer (10.3 ppg) and rebounder (4.3 rpg) for the 10th-ranked Trojans.
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None of that has come as a surprise to Center Grove coach Zach Hahn, who knew how hard DeGraaf was working during the offseason.
“We talk to all of our guys every year — you’ve got to get better. If you don’t get better, you get passed,” Hahn said. “JD is a relentless worker; he’s a kid that gets in the gym and works on his game constantly, and so he’s going to reap those benefits.
DeGraaf spent the summer training for two to three hours each day with Jason Smeathers, who also works with such players as NBA All-Star Gordon Hayward. In addition to adding a couple of inches and several pounds of muscle to his frame, DeGraaf sharpened numerous aspects of his game.
Though he does much of his work down low, cleaning up on the offensive glass — he has 22 offensive rebounds and is shooting 67.2 percent from the field overall — DeGraaf is more than capable of taking it outside. He’s connected on 10 of his 23 3-point attempts (43.5 percent).
That ability to score inside and out makes DeGraaf a difficult matchup for opposing defenses.
“He’s made big shots for us,” Hahn said. “Against Avon, when we can’t throw it in the ocean, and he steps out and nails two 3s, and then against Cathedral, he gets it in the low post three or four times and scores. … So we can use him in different ways, and he’s done a good job of trying to take advantage of what the other team’s giving him.”
“I’ve always tried to be a well-rounded player, so when colleges come see me they can see I can do a little bit of everything and I get into the system wherever I need to,” DeGraaf added.
The junior’s emergence has made it much more difficult for teams to focus too much of their attention on Mr. Basketball favorite Trayce Jackson-Davis.
That hasn’t stopped some opponents from doing so, but double-teaming Jackson-Davis can carry a steep price.
“People double him all the time, and it gives me open looks,” DeGraaf said. “He’s a great passer, too; he’ll find you when you’re open.”
DeGraaf has taken the necessary steps to make himself a desirable passing option in those situations, and he’s making the most of the chances he’s getting.
If Center Grove is to make good on its aspirations of making a deep state tournament run, it’ll need DeGraaf keeping opponents honest.
So far, he’s been able to do just that.
“He really complements what we’re trying to do right now really well,” Hahn said. “I think he’s done a really good job of stepping up, stepping into this role and meshing with these guys — and really trying to figure out who he needs to be for this team to win.”
