Allen Graves Ranked Top-10 of 2026 First-Round Draft Picks

Midway through the summer, the Toronto Raptors are looking like one of the most improved NBA teams of the offseason. While it’s still not official yet due to an ongoing investigation, general manager Bobby Webster committed to trade for seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard. While trading for a 35-year-old with questionable durability may be a cause for concern, it proves that Toronto is committed to capitalizing on its championship window as soon as next season. 

Assuming the trade is ultimately finalized, going to Los Angeles is two-time All-Star Brandon Ingram, who was just voted as the second-most overrated player in the league. Leonard will bring in an extra 6+ points per game, along with Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP honors. 

While Leonard occupies the biggest news in Toronto this summer, the biggest surprise comes from the Raptors’ newest first-round pick, Allen Graves. The former Santa Clara Bronco was selected with the No. 19 pick in this year’s draft, and his production will be relied upon immediately, bringing great pressure to the 19-year-old. 

After walking the stage at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Graves immediately shined through different interviews, expressing passion, maturity, and honesty. He followed up his talk with stellar play in the Summer League, leading his team to wins and making winning plays in all facets of the game. Many considered him to be a reach at No. 19 because he was a sixth man in the WCC, but he proved that being a star in his role can be more valuable than a player trying to be a star when they’re not. 

Those performances did not fly under the radar, as he was ranked in the top-10 amongst the 2026 first-round picks by Yahoo Sports. 

Graves was joined by only Los Angeles Lakers guard Cameron Carr as players to make the list who were not drafted in the top-11 picks. He wasn’t the ball dominant star that the top-4 picks were, but his relentless impact on both ends of the floor was undeniable in every game. 

Offensively, he was effortlessly scoring both on and off the ball. He was consistently able to knock down the outside shot and find open looks, while simultaneously cutting to the basket to space the offense nicely. With the ball, he was making timely decisions, finding his teammates in the pick-and-roll, and driving to the basket past his primary defender.

Defensively, he had a very similar impact to his new superstar teammate, Scottie Barnes. Off the ball, he was constantly in the passing lanes, while roaming the paint for further help defense when needed. On the ball, he made several deflections, and forced opposing ball-handlers into uncomfortable situations.