An integral part of the first NCAA National Championship in program history during the 2022-23 season, Dallas Graziani made his return home to South Florida and back to the Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball program after spending a year away at Samford University (AL.) after transferring from NSU.
Graziani, a local player from Pembroke Pines, committed to the NSU Men’s Basketball program before the 2019-20 season and was drawn to the Sharks program because of the ability to play in front of his family and friends, while also being a part of a system he could flourish in under Head Coach Jim Crutchfield. “The system suits me; up-tempo, needing to make decisions quickly and playing freely.” said Graziani. “Also, being local gave me the opportunity to have my family at all my games and be home, it’s an awesome situation for me.”
Crutchfield’s “system” of full-court press defense, focusing on creating havoc with turnovers and a fast-paced offense fits Graziani’s playstyle perfectly. “Sometimes there is a good match between a program’s style of play and a player’s skill set and mindset,” said Crutchfield. “That is certainly the case with Shark Basketball and Dallas Graziani.”
In addition to Coach Crutchfield, the NSU Men’s Basketball coaching staff includes two of the most accomplished players in program history. Nick Smith, a former point guard who is top-10 all-time in eight statistical categories begins his third season as a coach, while RJ Sunahara, the most decorated player in program history and the 2022-23 National Player of the Year, as well as Bevo Francis award winner, begins his coaching career.
Graziani’s intensity and passion for the game of basketball is apparent whenever anyone comes to watch the Sharks, whether at the Rick Case Arena or on the road. “I’ve always been this way. Up in your face, pressure defense and picking opponents up in the full court. Everyone associated with Nova (Southeastern) basketball loves the pressure defense, but the other teams absolutely hate it.”
Graziani’s first season on campus was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, in the three seasons since returning to competition, Nova Southeastern has established itself as a basketball powerhouse in NCAA Division II. Since the 2021-22 season, the Sharks have gone 99-4, winning three consecutive Sunshine State Conference regular season and tournament titles, advanced to the NCAA DII Elite Eight in three straight seasons, and won the 2022-23 NCAA DII National Championship with a 36-0 record – just the sixth undefeated national title season in division II history.
Additionally, NSU set the NCAA Division II record with 62 consecutive regular season victories, spanning from November 13, 2021, through December 30, 2023, while also having won 64 straight games at the Rick Case Arena since February 26, 2020. “Whenever the Rick Case Arena is packed, it really creates a great environment for us and the fans. We’re an easy team to root for and it’s fun to watch and be a part of Sharks Basketball.”
In his first stint at Nova Southeastern, Graziani wasted no time making his mark on the program as he set the single-game record for steals with 10 against Florida National on November 13, 2021. Unfortunately for Graziani and the Sharks, his first season at NSU was cut short due to a season-ending injury he suffered just eight games into the year. Nova Southeastern finished the 2021-22 campaign with a 31-1 record, becoming the first team to finish the regular season with an undefeated record in Sunshine State Conference play and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight for the second time in program history.
The following season, Graziani was one of two Sharks to start all 36 games, helping the Sharks win the Sunshine State Conference for the second consecutive season and the NCAA Division II National Championship for the first time in program history. Graziani recorded the second most assists (241) in a season in program history – which also ranked second nationally – trailing only former Sharks Men’s Basketball standout and current Assistant Coach, Nick Smith‘s record (247), which was set the season before.
Following winning the national title, Graziani was one of four Sharks – Jonathan Pierre (Memphis), Kobe Rodgers (Charleston), and RJ Sunahara (Georgia) – to transfer out of the program to move to the Division I level, as the NSU program was heavily impacted by the transfer portal. “We were all looking to find the best option for us to help us pursue our goals of playing professionally and reaching the highest level of basketball. It was a difficult decision, Samford played a similar style of basketball, and I felt it would be a good fit for me.”
Graziani started all 35 games for Head Coach Bucky McMillan’s Samford Bulldogs, where he shot 49% from the field and finished the season ranked second on the team with 51 steals. Samford won the Soutern Conference regular season title and the tournament championship for the first time in program history. Samford set a program record with 29 wins and advanced to the NCAA National Tournament for the first time since 2000.
Now back at Nova Southeastern, Dallas is looking to pick up where he and the Sharks left off. “I experienced Sharks Basketball for three years and I love it here. NSU is powerhouse program; I love coach Crutchfield, I love the players in the program, I love being home and being a part of the system here, especially as the point guard to where I can contribute and play in a familiar environment.”
The focus remains the same for the Sharks and Graziani with the 2024-25 season looming, with winning as a team and continuing the run of dominance that Shark fans and those around the program have grown accustomed to. No. 2 Nova Southeastern begins the season at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, hosted by Florida Southern, against No. 7 Gannon on Saturday, November 2nd, in Lakeland, Fla. First serve is set for 3:30 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram and X at NSU_MBasketball.
