Graham gets tryout with NBA's Wizards

JOE SUNNEN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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In the next month former Western Washington University basketball standout Ira Graham will have what could be the job interview of a lifetime.

Graham, 23, has been invited to try out for the Washington Wizards of the NBA sometime in early August. A good performance could lead to a spot on the Wizards' NBA Developmental League roster. He could also land a spot with the team's NBA franchise.

Graham is approaching the opportunity cautiously. He said in a phone interview that his agent has advised him against speaking to the media about the tryout until after it happens.

Graham played for the Bellingham Slam of the International Basketball League and was named to the IBL all-star roster. He averaged 18.5 points per game and led the Slam with 5.5 assists per game. The 6-foot-1 guard also shot 52.9 percent from the floor.

He's the first Slam player to earn a direct tryout with an NBA team. He'll be flying to Washington, D.C., next month.

Graham was a four-year letter winner at WWU and was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year as a senior. He averaged 19.1 points for the Vikings last season and became the first player in school history to post two 500-point seasons.

Reach Joe Sunnen at joe.sunnen@bellinghamherald.com or 756-2862