A.J. Graves

He was a well-rounded student-athlete.

He graduated from Butler in May with a 3.369 grade-point average and a degree in actuarial science. He currently is working for AIT Laboratories in Indianapolis, one of the nation's leading forensics labs.

Graves -- a White River Valley High School graduate -- has been named the male recipient of the 2007-08 Horizon League Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor.

The Horizon League's highest individual honor, the Coleman Award is presented annually to the league's top male and female student-athletes who best exemplify the dignity and high purpose of the league and its membership. The individuals demonstrate outstanding achievement in academics, athletics and extracurricular activities.

"These awards are more special than any other kind of award because they show the character you have and the hard work that you put in other areas other than basketball," Graves told the Greene County Daily World. "It's nice to show people that you can be well-rounded."

Graves credits his parents, Rick and Melonie Graves of rural Switz City, among those who have helped prepare him for life.

"They always instilled in me to do the right things," Graves stressed. "They were very good about that with me growing up.

"Plus, I tried to surround myself with people that supported that as well. When you have people backing you like that, it makes things easier."

Candidates for the Coleman Award must be a senior who has exhausted his/her eligibility and was a participant on the varsity level in a league-sponsored sport. In addition, nominees must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, or its equivalent.

Graves was a two-time, first-team All-Horizon League selection and received All-America honorable mention as a junior, when he helped lead Butler to a share of the Horizon League regular-season title and the regional semifinals of the NCAA Championship.

As a senior, he averaged 13.6 points with 95 3-point field goals, while helping the Bulldogs to the league regular season and tournament titles, a first-round NCAA Tournament win and a school- and league-record 30-4 mark.

Graves said he considered basketball as a professional career, but changed his mind after attending an NBA pre-draft camp.

"I did well and got some good feedback. But it was pretty clear that I didn't need to do that or go through that .. it was time to put it down, find a different love, different motivation to keep me excited and happy," Graves explained.

"You do a sport or something so long ... it was time to move on."

Graves finished second on Butler's all-time list for 3-point field goals (303) and third on the school's all-time list for scoring (1,807 points), while setting school records for games played (130) and games started (124).

This spring, he was named co-recipient of Butler's Most Outstanding Senior Male Athlete Award.

The 6-1 guard was Butler's first two-time Academic All-American, earning first team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America recognition in 2007 and second team honors in 2008. He was named to the Horizon League Academic All-League Team for three consecutive years and a two-time Academic All-District pick.

"A.J. is one of the most focused and mature young men that I have ever been around," said Butler Coach Brad Stevens. "His achievement in the classroom and on the court is a direct result of his commitment to performing each task to the best of his ability. He represents Butler University well in the community and is a person who is focused only on team achievement."