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Jerami Grant and his basketball family

Sixers’ second-round pick visits with his father, former Sixer Harvey Grant

76ers second-round draft pick Jerami Grant. (Bill Wippert/AP)
76ers second-round draft pick Jerami Grant. (Bill Wippert/AP)Read more

WHEN JERAMI Grant, one of the Sixers' second-round draft picks, walked into the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine on Saturday, he did so with some exclusive company.

Accompanied by his father, former Sixer Harvey Grant, Jerami Grant has something that his new teammates are lacking - a family full of NBA talent. But just like his fellow second-rounders, he's coming to Philadelphia with a chip on his shoulder.

"We all try to make our own way, but we definitely try to learn from our parents' experiences," Jerami Grant said, his blue Sixers hat resting in front of him as he sat between fellow draft picks Pierre Jackson and Jordan McRae.

"Having someone like my dad or my uncle or even my brothers in my family, there's definitely someone you can talk to about anything. I can go to them about any situation or they can come to me about anything they think I need to work on. It's good for me."

The 6-8, 214-pound Grant has a long history with professional basketball - it's in his genes. His father, Harvey, was a collegiate standout at Oklahoma and had a productive NBA career with Washington, Portland and Philly.

His uncle, Horace, was an All-American in 1987 at Clemson and a four-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers team that stopped Allen Iverson and the Sixers. Horace was also an NBA All-Star and four-time NBA All-Defensive second-team selection.

The tradition continues with Jerami's brothers. Jerian Grant was a standout senior last season with Notre Dame, averaging 19 points per game, and his brother, Jerai Grant, played at Clemson before going to Australia to play for the Sydney Kings.

It's safe to say that basketball runs in the family, so much so that Harvey still sends Jerami to work out with Horace "once or twice a summer."

"I'm still the proudest dad in America," Harvey Grant said after his son's postdraft interview. "He's learned hard work, discipline, how to have good character and that carried from DeMatha [Catholic High School in Maryland, where Jerami attended] to Syracuse and now he's here at the highest level he can go."

Jerami Grant averaged 12 points and 6.8 rebounds per game at Syracuse in his sophomore season and helped lead the Orange to a 28-6 record before being upset by Dayton in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

The lanky forward brings athleticism and a defensive upside to the Sixers. He has been looking forward to reuniting with his former Syracuse teammate, rookie of the year Michael Carter-Williams, and the two could combine to provide some uptempo offense.

"We've been tight this whole time," Jerami Grant said. "It's definitely a good opportunity to play with [MCW] again. We had chemistry at Syracuse obviously, going to the Final Four. He's been trying to talk me through everything. He went through it last year. It's definitely a plus for me, to have someone like that and to be on the same team with him again."

Notes * 

Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie confirmed the Daily News' previous list of summer league participants: Travis Bader, Aaron Craft, Ronald Roberts Jr., Scottie Wilbekin, Sean Kilpatrick, Melvin Ejim, Isaiah Sykes and JaKarr Sampson.

* Pierre Jackson said he has been in contact with Nate Robinson and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, who reached out to him about their similar paths to the NBA as smaller point guards.

* Dario Saric said that his father had nothing to do with his decision to sign in Turkey for the next 2 years. He said: "You make the decision that's the best possible for you."