The Toronto Raptors bolstered their roster Tuesday night, selecting forward Allen Graves of Santa Clara University with the 19th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-8 prospect brings a unique blend of offensive and defensive capabilities to the Canadian squad.
Graves, a standout in his single college season, averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. He earned West Coast Conference (WCC) Freshman of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year honors, showcasing his immediate impact and versatility. Despite not being a highly-touted recruit out of high school, Graves significantly improved his draft stock through strong performances in college and pre-draft assessments, even with reportedly underwhelming athleticism at the NBA Combine. He is described as an "analytics darling" with a strong feel for the game on both ends of the court.
His selection is a significant moment for Graves, who was largely overlooked coming out of high school. After receiving limited Division I offers, he chose Santa Clara and quickly proved his worth. The Raptors will be looking to integrate Graves into their lineup, where he will join fellow forwards Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles. The financial terms of his rookie contract are expected to be in line with the standard for a 19th overall pick, projected at approximately $19.7 million over four years.
