Big Joe’s Winding Road to St. Bonaventure

A year and a half ago, Joe Grahovac was living in his truck and unaware of the guy everyone called “Woj.”

The path from Orange County to St. Bonaventure has been anything but typical for "Big Joe", the 6-foot-10 forward who signed with the Bonnies this offseason. He went from late bloomer and Call of Duty competitor to one of the most recruited players on the West Coast. In his first full season of organized basketball at Fullerton College, Grahovac became an instant JUCO standout, eventually being named CCCAA SoCal Player of the Year.

I spoke with Joe as well as his mentor and trainer recently about the big man's unlikely journey, how it all came together, and what Bona fans can expect when he dons the brown and white this season.

“I wasn’t always tall. I was a late bloomer. So when I was younger, for fun I played guard wherever I was. I was never under the basket. I loved watching Kyrie Irving, all those types of guys. So I loved playing guard. Magic Johnson was always fun to watch, too. When I started taking it seriously, I realized the coaches wanted me to play center, and I had no idea how to do that. So I had to learn all the footwork from somebody and how to play big.”

Grahovac, who avoided organized basketball at all costs in high school, said he's also drawn inspiration for his skillset from Kevin Durant.

“During high school, I just played for fun outside. I loved to hoop. I would always just be competitive at the park and at the local gym,” he said.

Coaches regularly took note of Grahovac during Phys. Ed. class, often encouraging him to join the school's hoops team. But at the time, he didn’t see the value in organized basketball. Instead, those years were spent doing “regular Cali kid stuff," like biking around with friends, heading to the beach, and logging hours on video games — most notably Call of Duty, which he played competitively.

“That focus that you use in Call of Duty, you can use in basketball as well," Grahovac said. "Except you’ve got to use your body at the same time, but the level of focus is still there.”

His senior year, Grahovac begrudgingly joined the high school team, but played just one game before stepping away.

“They talked me into it my senior year. I played one game. I mean it was cool, but it still just wasn’t my thing at the time. I ended up quitting after that game. I didn’t even hit the coaches back. They were always calling me after that, I never answered. So it’s kind of sad.”

After high school, Grahovac spent his days working alongside his father in a paint shop. He left home after an argument, and eventually found sanctuary at 24 Hour Fitness — showering there, living out of his gym bag, and immersing himself in pickup basketball from morning to night.

“Some people talked me into joining their rec league teams, so I started playing organized in the adult leagues. That’s basically how it all started. After that, it just kind of went up from there,” he said.

Grahovac’s journey into organized basketball truly began at 19, when he started playing in adult leagues across Southern California. During the long hours at 24 Hour Fitness, he was still resistant to playing in the post, instead focusing on developing perimeter skills. Despite his height, he approached the game like a guard — handling the ball, creating off the dribble, and working on his shot.

It was during one of these adult league games in Orange County that he was introduced to trainer Vince Camper by mutual friend and well-known battle rapper Daylyt. After facing off on the court, Grahovac approached Camper to ask about training. The two joked about cost — Grahovac initially assumed it would be affordable — but when he admitted he couldn’t pay, Camper offered him a deal: show up and work hard, and the training would be free.

Grahovac took him up on it, and the two trained nearly every day for the next two years. Camper saw something rare: size, athleticism, and humility, all in one player.

“Every time I challenged him on the court, he rose to it," Camper said. "You could tell the kid's a star. He’s got it written all over him.”

What began as free workouts quickly evolved into a mentorship. Camper not only taught him how to play the five — how to defend, rebound, and operate in the paint — but also helped Grahovac understand the mental side of the game. That connection proved to be a turning point. For the first time, Grahovac saw a path forward.

Camper believed in his potential and pushed him toward the collegiate level, giving him the structure, confidence, and tools to finally pursue basketball seriously.

The toughest part for Camper wasn’t teaching Grahovac how to play — it was getting him to take academics seriously. But once Grahovac began to see basketball as a vehicle that could change his life, the commitment to school followed naturally.

Camper described Grahovac’s early game as a “playground style” where positions don't matter. "Everyone can dribble at the park and everyone wants to dribble," he added.

His job, then, was to take that raw, fluid approach and mold it into something effective at Grahovac’s size. The physical tools were undeniable — what Grahovac lacked was game experience, a deeper feel for the game, and an understanding of how to use his frame.

What began as free workouts quickly evolved into a mentorship. Camper even gave the NBA comparison of Kevin Garnett, citing Grahovac’s competitive edge, frame, defensive versatility, and selfless play. He noted that fans shouldn’t be fooled by Grahovac’s quiet nature.

“He’s one of the greatest, smartest, and most misunderstood kids you’ll ever meet. Whoever gets Joey is getting a jewel. I hope St. Bonaventure realizes not just the kind of basketball player they have, but the kind of young man they have. If they deal with Joey correctly, that’s going to be one of the best things that school has ever done.”

Despite his size, Grahovac handles the ball like a guard and sees the floor like one, too. Last season, he totaled 73 assists from the center spot, rarely forcing shots or making bad decisions. He’s unselfish, skilled, and more disciplined now — a player who elevates those around him without needing to dominate the ball.

"He genuinely wants to see his teammates do well — and it’s not a game,” Camper said.

"He's usually the best or second-best player on the floor, and when that guy is unselfish, it spreads throughout the team. If Joey wanted to average 30 and 20 this year, he could have. But he played in a way that let everyone shine and helped the team win."

When asked specifically about his passing, Camper didn’t hesitate. "He’s a guard trapped in a 6'10" body. His passing ability at his position might be his best attribute outside of his length and quickness.”

He's even faced former St. Bonaventure star Dion Wright in SoCal adult leagues. Wright, a close friend of Camper, made an immediate impression on Grahovac.

Dion Wright guarding LeBron James in The Drew League (2022)

“First thing I thought when playing Dion is he’s shorter than me — I’m going to take him to the post. Yeah, he locked me up. He out-rebounded me. He out-worked me. This guy is a hard worker and he didn’t say a word to me the whole time. I was like, ‘Damn, who is this?’ Once Bonaventure started recruiting me, that’s when he reached out.”

Grahovac’s path to St. Bonaventure took a meaningful turn when General Manager Adrian Wojnarowski reached out. At first, Grahovac didn’t recognize the name — but the reaction from his coaches made it clear just how significant that call was.

“Dude, that’s Woj! Do you know who that is?”

Once they spoke, Grahovac was struck by Wojnarowski’s sincerity.

 “He’s super down to earth and super caring,” Grahovac said. “Basketball is a business. You don’t expect people to be so invested in what they do to that level. It was really refreshing. He’s a really good guy, and he definitely takes care in what he does. He’s trustworthy, and that’s honestly a big reason why I chose Bonaventure.”

Now on campus, Grahovac has jumped from 199 to 215 pounds with help from SBU's nutritionist and hours in the weight room with longtime Director of Strength and Conditioning Darryn Fiske. He’s learning how to play with his body now, but people within the program say he still has no idea just how talented he is.

That versatility is what makes him such a unique fit for St. Bonaventure. He’s just beginning to tap into what he can be, and Schmidt and the staff are still discovering the different ways he can be used offensively. Those around the program believe he’s only going to get better — quickly.

"The ball is going to be zipping around the floor,” Grahovac said. “We’re going to be athletic. We’re going to be hard to guard.”

Grahovac plans to bring that same unselfish, versatile approach to the Bonnies’ system. He’s especially eager to share the floor with fellow newcomer Frank Mitchell, who admits Joe's ceiling is "beyond sky level", and has already provided an eye-opener to Division I physicality.

That impression extended to Head Coach Mark Schmidt as well. Grahovac appreciated Schmidt’s basketball acumen, but also admired his life philosophies and the thoughtful way he approached conversations off the court.

Now heading into his first season with the Bonnies, Grahovac’s focus is clear.

“How can we win? Whether I score zero points or 30, I just want to win.”

He brings that same clarity to his approach off the court, too — grounded by a personal goal and a past that keeps everything in perspective: stay disciplined, and don’t stray off course.

Grahovac’s decision to commit to St. Bonaventure was solidified during a campus visit last season. The intensity inside the gym and the focused energy of the coaching staff left a lasting impression. Combined with his conversations with Wojnarowski, it became clear this was the right fit.

“I’m not trying to come somewhere and bullshit around.”

Underscoring his commitment to taking the opportunity seriously, he also took note of the program’s strong fanbase — something he believes can make a real difference on the court.

In the classroom, Grahovac is drawn to subjects that give him perspective, and considering a path in business or history.

“I like learning history so we don’t repeat the past. I like history, I like science, I like math, I like business.”

When asked what he wanted fans to know about him, Grahovac leaned into his easygoing personality, brushing off the need to define himself.

“I’m sure they’ll add plenty of stuff. My look kind of takes it to a different level. I look like Bob Ross. I look like Bill Walton. I let it just ride out. It’s cool. I let people just say what they want to say. I’m just hoping to come in and make an impact right away while continuing my individual growth and also helping the team.”

True to form, Grahovac isn’t overly concerned with perception. He’s focused on development, on winning, and on contributing in a way that matches his unique path to Division I basketball. Now at St. Bonaventure, that journey enters its next chapter.