More on KU’s famous dancing grandma: ‘Ah man, she’s great’

Devonté Graham is headed down a narrow hallway to the stairway when you stop him for a moment.

It’s minutes after Graham led Kansas to a 16-point comeback — and 71-66 road victory — over West Virginia when you mention that he wasn’t the only family member featured on ESPN’s Big Monday.

Yep, grandma Doris King had put on a performance from behind KU’s bench as well.

“She was dancing?” Graham says, a smile crossing his face. “Ah man, she’s great.”

If KU fans didn’t know her yet, they were properly introduced Monday.

After a few Graham made shots — even when the team was trailing — King was dancing in the aisle from her spot six rows up.

“I’ve been having them (dance moves) all my life,” King says with a laugh. “I enjoy every game — every game. I get into it. And he loves it so much.”

Through 20 minutes, it didn’t look like there would be much to celebrate.

KU’s offense was sluggish in the first half while trying to attack shot-blocker Sagaba Konate. The Jayhawks had nine turnovers and went into the break trailing by 13.

So what did King think?

“I knew we were going to win,” King says matter-of-factly. “I said, ‘I’m not going to get discouraged. The game ain’t over yet. When they come out, (Coach) Self’s going to tell them something, and they’re going to better.’”

It all sounds like revisionist history now, but hearing King talk … you believe every word she’s saying.

Perhaps Graham’s positivity, then, is an inherited trait.

KU came back in the second half thanks mostly to its star point guard. Graham found teammates for open shots, made crucial defensive plays and also fired up less-emotional teammates who sometimes struggle to do that for themselves.

“He kept hearing me hollering and hollering and hollering,” King says. “He probably told them. ‘We better do something, or my grandma ain’t going to be happy.’”

This wasn’t an easy trip to make. King rented a Jeep for help with snow driving, then made the six-hour trek from Raleigh, N.C. along with her boss and some family friends.

“I like to have somebody supporting him at all times,” King says.

That started before the game, at the team Marriott a few hours earlier, when King gave her grandson a pep talk. He’d never won in Morgantown during his previous three years at KU, and this would be his last chance.

King said she told him five words: “You’re going to win tonight.”

Graham made it happen. Not only did King get to see a victory, but she also was earned some TV time after Graham told ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe that grandma Doris was in the stands.

“People that follow me on Snapchat, they know how crazy and funny she is. That’s just her,” Graham says. “That’s just where I get it from: always smiling and stuff. Any time with her, she just makes me laugh.”

King knew she’d gained some fame afterwards while flipping through text messages on her phone. One friend sent three pictures of King on her television.

“Oh lord,” King said, scrolling through them for the first time, “my mouth was wide open.”

Then came a deep laugh.

KU’s social media account recorded video of Graham right after the game. He entered the locker room on one foot, hopping and grinning as he made his way to the middle of his teammates.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise. After his team’s biggest win of the season, Graham found a fitting way to show his satisfaction:

He danced.

This story was originally published January 16, 2018 at 10:41 AM with the headline "More on KU’s famous dancing grandma: ‘Ah man, she’s great’."