Basketball
Sharks Sign Graham
8 August 2007
Sheffield Sharks have started rebuilding their squad for the coming season with the signing of new shooting guard Justice Graham.
Sharks, who begin the season at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield on Friday September 21 against Scottish Rocks, will have a brand new team after the 'big four' of Jeff Bonds, Eddie Cage, Blake Shelton and Atiba Lyons all opted to play for teams on the continent.
While acknowledging losing the backbone of his squad from last year has been a blow, Sharks boss Peter Scantlebury believes the capture of Graham, aged 27, from Finnish division one side Salon Vilpas is the first step to making his team deeper.
"Justice is a proven player who has been around the European scene since graduating from Glenville College in the States. He is a natural shooting guard who can hit the three-point shot with great regularity.
"Our recruitment for the new year begins here and it is an excellent start. I think our squad will have more depth than last season, which will give me more options off the bench.
"We've made no secret of the fact that we wanted Blake, Atiba, Jeff and Eddie to come back this season but it wasn't to be. They all were excellent servants to the Sharks and we wish them well at their new clubs."
The 6'6" Graham was the fourth leading scorer for Vilpas last season averaging nearly 24-points per match and was nominated to the Finnish league's All-Star second team. A similar return for Sheffield would make him an instant favourite with the fans and fill the scoring hole left by the vacating Shelton and Bonds.
"Justice is our first major signing of the summer," said Scantlebury. "He is a quality player to play to build around and I'm looking forward to working with him next season."
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