By SPENCER BATES
(This article is the second of a four part series of 2025-26 St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team player features)
ST. BONAVENTURE — When Joe Grahovac steps out onto St. Bonaventure’s campus, he feels a sense of calmness.
It’s quiet.
No screaming car horns, no noise pollution from the bright and busy city life. Those sounds that he grew up with are now over 2,500 miles away. And when he thinks about that he’s put at ease.
Although it’s not just the weather and the environment that he’s enjoyed. Grahovac has found himself a true family in the Bona fanbase and he is feeling the love.
“Back home, you just hear cars all the time and the city life,” Grahovac said. “But here, it’s real peaceful. You open the door and there’s just a stillness. It’s quiet. … The people (are great) too. It’s like a real small town. It feels like everybody kind of knows me already, which is cool. Everybody’s been real nice.”
Grahovac was the marquee signing for St. Bonaventure men’s basketball General Manager Adrian Wojnarowski in his first full offseason on the job. His remarkable story has been told many times: having gone from never playing an organized game of basketball in his life to making a name for himself as a presumed starter on a Bonnies team looking to shock the world this season.
The rise in the notoriety for Grahovac has been stark, but when you have Woj on your side, it all makes sense.
“That’s the most connected guy in basketball, a great guy to have in your corner,” Grahovac said. “The first time meeting him, I didn’t know who he was. I just heard he was real connected. He’s helped me out a lot, got me connected with some good people, and helped me elevate my game in that sense. (He’s had) a huge impact, probably the biggest impact for a lot of college players.”
St. Bonaventure’s Joe Grahovac steps off the plane in New York City as the team headed to the NBPA in Brooklyn for a Pro Day. (St. Bonaventure Athletics)
But don’t be fooled, with how rapidly everything has changed in his life, he has needed to be flexible. Grahovac admitted it has been a tough change, and understandably so.
Going from little to no organized basketball to playing under one of the most technical coaches in all of college basketball is no small chasm to cross. Thankfully, with his love for the game and eagerness to grow, he is open to the challenge.
“I’m still adjusting, still learning,” Grahovac said. “It’s a lot to take in at once. I’m not perfect, I’m sure everybody will see soon, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Schmidt, he holds everybody accountable. He wants everybody, he believes in us, and he’s just going to keep teaching, keep pushing. He loves teaching, I love learning, so it’s going to work out.”
And what Schmidt, someone who knows what it takes to be a successful big-man in the Atlantic 10, has helped him with most of all so far is how to play to the best of his ability according to his strengths.
“He’s helped me a lot with my face-up game, a lot with taking different angles at the basket and picking and popping and with just playing more to my strengths, according to my genetics,” Grahovac said. “I’m not like a super big, strong guy, so he’s taught me to use more finesse and my shot-creating ability in terms of shooting over people.”
Luckily, the list of strengths Grahovac has in his bag is a lot longer than that of weaknesses. He’s a towering figure at 6-10 and can easily be a provider in the paint. But what he also has going for him is his ability to operate as a guard, moving the ball with accuracy and draining the jumper whenever a situation calls for it.
“That’s kind of everything I’ve been built off of. That’s kind of like my foundation,” Grahovac said. “My ability to handle the ball well and take care of it, it’s my foundation. Without my guard skills, I wouldn’t be as effective due to my lack of weight. I’m not as big as Frank (Mitchell). So yeah, it’s my foundation.”
St. Bonaventure’s Joe Grahovac looks to make a pass in practice. (St. Bonaventure Athletics)
Grahovac is set to make his debut for the Bonnies in their lone exhibition game against Alfred University on Oct. 29 before non-league action officially begins on Nov. 3. But, before even registering an official minute of action for the program, has found himself at the center of people’s hearts.
“(The fans) embraced me before I even got here,” Grahovac said. “The minute they heard about me, they were embracing me, and they were hoping to get me. I appreciate everybody. That’s a lot of love, but it’s also a lot of pressure. They expect a lot of good things out of me, and I hope to deliver.”
There is plenty for Grahovac to be amped for in his first season of Div. I basketball. Big games and great opportunities are on the near horizon, but what he’s excited about the most is hearing the legendary Reilly Center in full voice when the season begins.
“The thing I’m most excited about is seeing the student section,” Grahovac said. “I want to see what kind of energy they bring for us this year. The more energy they bring, I’m sure we’re going to match that energy on the court. So, bring your A-game.”
Fortunately, he won’t have to wait long for that moment.
