Allen Graves Shares Confidence Level Ahead of NBA Rookie Season

The NBA Summer League is underway, and the Toronto Raptors are set to face off against the Boston Celtics in their debut. All-Rookie Team selection Collin Murray-Boyles will be the leader on the floor, although he’s out for the first game with a finger sprain. Joining him on the team are the newest draft picks, Allen Graves (No. 19) and Jaden Bradley (No. 50). 

Graves has been the talk of the town ever since having his name called by Toronto. Known as one of the analytical darlings of the draft, he faces high expectations due to the positional nightmare general manager Bobby Webster seemingly avoided. It was clear that point guard and center were the positions that needed to be upgraded the most; with potential stars like Labaron Philon Jr. (guard), Jayden Quaintance (center), and Chris Cenac Jr. (center) all available at No. 19, Graves (forward) came as a surprise considering Scottie Barnes, Kawhi Leonard, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Kyle Anderson are all ahead of him in the position group. 

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Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Despite the concerns many fans have about the pick, the former Santa Clara Bronco is ready to prove he belongs. He sat down for an interview with the Athletic’s Esfandiar Baraheni ahead of his Summer League debut, and one of the main talking points was what he learned during the pre-draft process. 

“How I compared to other players, that was the biggest thing,” said Graves. “Knowing that I belong. I’ve always been confident in my abilities, and a lot of people doubted me coming off my freshman year. [I] didn’t even start a couple games, but [I knew] that I [could] prove them wrong and I [would] prove them wrong.” 

Allen Graves on the Raptors, Summer League, and Breakfast.Es Baraheni is joined by Raptors first round pick Allen Graves to discuss Allen being selected by the Raptors, Summer League and rapid fire questions to get ...

Heading into his rookie season, the reigning WCC Sixth Man of the Year has impressed when given a microphone. He has had countless interviews with people related to the NBA or Toronto, and he has established a strong identity for himself among the Raptors fanbase that didn’t previously know who he was. Focusing on defense, finding his role within the team, and making winning plays are points of emphasis for the first-round pick, and that is music to the ears of many around the league. 

He clearly will not be asked to be a superstar on a team with two-time All-Star Barnes, two-time champion and Finals MVP Leonard, and a striving RJ Barrett. So, if he can take advantage of his open looks when he gets them and works hard to get extra possessions on defense, loose balls, or rebounds, he will have a great impact on a team that is striving to get back into championship contention. If he can play as well as he speaks in interviews, the Raptors may have found themselves a diamond in the rough.

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