There is a lot to like about Allen Graves.
Selected 19th overall by the Raptors in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Santa Clara forward enters Toronto with an intriguing combination of size, shooting, rebounding and defensive ability. Unlike some first-round picks, however, Graves does not need to become an immediate star.
If he can defend, hit open threes, rebound and make smart decisions, Toronto will have plenty to work with.
What Did He Do Last Year?
After redshirting his first year at Santa Clara, Graves appeared in all 35 games
during the 2025-26 season, averaging 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 22.6 minutes per game.
He shot 51.2 percent from the field, 41.3 percent from three and 75.0 percent from the free-throw line while adding 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.
His season earned him West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year and First Team All-WCC honours.
Graves also showed up when the stakes were higher, scoring 17 points and grabbing seven rebounds against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.
What Makes Graves Intriguing?
Graves does not need the ball in his hands to be effective, which could make him a natural fit alongside Toronto’s higher-usage players.
At 6-foot-9, his ability to space the floor, cut, rebound and defend multiple positions gives him several ways to contribute. His 41.3 percent three-point shooting is particularly encouraging.
The Raptors will not need him to create every possession. If he can make open shots and take advantage of the attention given to players like Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard, there could be a clear role for him.
What Can We Realistically Expect?
Expectations should remain reasonable.
Graves was the 19th pick and has just one college season under his belt. A realistic goal would be competing for a rotation role rather than immediately becoming a starter.
If he earns around 10–15 minutes per game, defends, rebounds and knocks down open threes, that should be considered a successful rookie season.
His Summer League performance provided some encouragement. Through his first four games, he averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 50 percent from three, showing flashes of his offensive versatility.
Of course, Summer League is not the NBA regular season. The real test will be whether those skills translate against NBA competition.
Could the Raptors 905 Be Good For Him?
This may be one of the more important decisions Toronto makes with Graves.
If he is only playing limited minutes in the NBA, spending time with the Raptors 905 could give him an opportunity to handle the ball, create shots and make reads he may not get to make in a limited NBA role.
That does not mean Graves is not ready for the NBA. Sometimes, playing 30-plus minutes in the G League can be more valuable for development than playing 10 minutes in the NBA.
At the same time, if he proves during training camp that he belongs in the rotation, Toronto should not force him into the G League simply because he is a rookie.
The Biggest Thing To Watch
The three-point shot could determine how quickly Graves earns a role.
He shot 41.3 percent from three at Santa Clara, but NBA defenders close out faster and open shots are harder to find.
His ability to attack those closeouts will also be important. If he can put the ball on the floor and make plays when defenders run him off the line, he becomes much more than a spot-up shooter.
The Verdict
The realistic expectation for Allen Graves should not be that he immediately becomes a star. It should be that he develops into a reliable NBA player.
His size, shooting, rebounding and defensive instincts give him multiple ways to stay on the floor, and Toronto does not need to rush his development.
If he earns a rotation role, great. If he spends time with Raptors 905, that should not be viewed as a setback.
Graves has the foundation of a modern NBA role player. Now he has to prove he can consistently translate it to the NBA level.
