By: Earl Gilbert Graves, Jr., Yale Men's Basketball Legend

What makes an Ivy League experience different from other schools?
 
The Ivy League experience is much different from other schools because the student-athlete is just another student who happens to have a skill in athletics. The professors couldn't care less about your sports schedule and your fellow students are not impressed with your sports accomplishments. It is very humbling and keeps you centered on what is truly important.
 
What athletic accomplishment are you the most proud of?
 
Becoming the all-time leading scorer at Yale was indeed a honor, but my proudest accomplishment was during my junior year when I led our team in scoring, rebounding and assists in our most successful year as a team.
 
What off-court accomplishment has the most significance to you?
 
Without question the most significant off-court accomplishment in my life was marrying my Yale college sweetheart, Roberta, and us producing four wonderful children who now each lead very productive lives as young adults.
 
What is your most memorable experience from your time as an Ivy League student-athlete?
 
The most memorable experience from my time as an Ivy League student-athlete was not winning a particular game, or achieving any particular individual statistical accomplishment. My fondest memory comes from the experiences I shared with my teammates from the Class of 1984. Each of the six of us remains very close to this very day, and there is no stronger bond than the love and friendship we will share eternally.
 
How did your Ivy League experience compare to your expectations?
 
My Ivy League experience frankly exceeded all of my expectations. I came to Yale expecting to be surrounded by a bunch of nerds with little competitive sports drive, and little desire to have fun outside of the classroom. I was completely wrong. I met the most interesting and competitive people in the world, and a network of friends and colleagues that are without peer. 

How has Ivy League basketball evolved since your time as a student-athlete?
 
Ivy League basketball today is at a much higher caliber than when I played back in 1980-1984. The players are bigger, stronger, faster and much better athletes then when I played. Almost every Ivy League team today has a few players that could have played at major Division I level schools, but chose to compete in the Ivy League instead. It makes for great inter-league games and is a testimony to the success the Ivy League has enjoyed in the NCAA Tournament over the past decade.
 
How has the Ivy League community impacted your life or career?
 
My best friends in the world all come from within the Ivy League community. My best business relationships have been formed within the Ivy League community. There is a common bond that we share. There is a healthy respect that we share. There is a competitive fire that we share. There is a love for our respective institutions that we share. There is an intense desire to be successful in all aspects of our lives that we share. 

What does it mean to you to be a Legend of Ivy League Basketball?
 
To be named a Legend of Ivy League Basketball is humbling beyond anything that I could have ever dreamed of. I played basketball at Yale because I loved the sport, and I loved to compete. I was not looking for personal accolades, and I will forever be grateful to my coaches and teammates for pushing me at all times to become the best that I could be.
 
What are you looking forward to most about the Ivy League Basketball Tournaments?
 
Attending the first-ever Ivy League Basketball Tournaments last year was one of the best sporting experiences I have been a part of. Beating Harvard in the semifinal game, and then playing Princeton in the championship game for the opportunity to represent the Ivy League in the NCAA Tournament, was an experience none of those young men will ever forget. The idea of an Ivy League Basketball Tournament was long overdue. It provides every school the incentive to play their entire league schedule out to the very end, and to compete for one of the coveted four slots in the Ivy League Basketball Tournaments. My only regret is that the tournaments did not exist when I played, but at least now I get a chance to enjoy it as an alumnus and fan.  

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Earl Gilbert Graves, Jr. was a Yale men's basketball student-athlete from 1980-84. He is a member of the 2018 Class of Legends of Ivy League Basketball that will be formally honored during the 2018 Ivy League Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments on Saturday, March 10, at The Palestra in Philadelphia. Purchase tickets at IvyMadness.com. 

ABOUT AUTHENTIC IVY:
Authentic Ivy is Ivy League student-athletes, coaches and alumni, in their own words. Stay tuned to IvyLeague.com for more Authentic Ivy features throughout the 2017-18 year.