Why Allen Graves' Recent Success Will Translate Into Meaningful Raptors Minutes

Toronto Raptors first-round pick Allen Graves clearly has the markings of an NBA-caliber player written all over him.

Through four games of NBA Summer League action, Graves recorded multiple 20-point performances.

He would have one of his best games yet in the Raptors' July 10 opener against the Eastern Conference rival Boston Celtics, scoring 22 points while collecting 13 rebounds and three steals. He would also record two blocks on the night.

Graves also shined a few days later against the Indiana Pacers after a down game versus the Houston Rockets, logging 13 points while helping efficiently spread the ball with six assists, the most he's recorded as a Raptor thus far. Moreover, he put on a clinic defensively with four steals as Toronto came out on top 94-93.

Graves would play his final game on July 16 against the Miami Heat, going out on a high note as he tallied 23 points, six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal. 

Although this was just a small sample, Graves showed through those four games that he has two of the major fundamentals down going into his rookie season with Toronto-- shooting and defense.

At 6'9'' tall, Graves will also provide additional size on the court to back center Jakob Poeltl while the Raptors continue their search for a backup big that can give the 30-year-old Poeltl some rest on the court.

Besides Summer League, Graves shined during his Santa Clara days, averaging 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.8 assists per game across 22.6 minutes of playing time. Additionally, he shot an efficient 51.2% from the field while going 84-for-112 from the free throw line.

Despite the Broncos having their playoff journey cut short by Kentucky this year, Graves hustled until the very end, scoring 17 points while logging seven rebounds and converting on all six of his attempts at the charity stripe.

Graves was also electric during Santa Clara's 96-92 win over Washington State on Feb. 7, scoring a season-high 30 points, collecting 13 boards and shooting 71.4% from the field during the 25 minutes he saw on the court.

With the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season less than 60 days away, Graves is setting himself up for a huge role on a Raptors squad that has their sights set on a return to their past levels of dominance that earned them their first-ever NBA title in 2019.