Allen Graves stopped to shake every reporter’s hand before his post‑practice media session on Monday, then repeated the gesture once all questions had been answered. The 20‑year‑old forward, selected 19th overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2024 NBA Draft, made it clear he is ready to accept whatever role the organisation assigns him.
A Professional Attitude On and Off the Court
Graves’ meticulous approach stood out even before he spoke. “Whatever the plan is for me, I’m ready and willing,” he said. “Just hopefully whatever it may be, I’m just going to take every opportunity I get and just run with it.” His willingness to engage with the media reflected a broader commitment to the little things that coaches value.
Darko Rajakovic, the Raptors’ head coach, noted the gesture was no surprise. “He’s been talking to his teammates a lot, trying to pick up on everything, every time,” Rajakovic explained. “When we went to the game on the road he was the first on the bus. All the small things that you teach a young player on how to be a professional, he’s doing and he’s doing a great job so far.”
The forward’s collegiate résumé backs up his work ethic. After redshirting his first season at Santa Clara, Graves averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game in his lone NCAA campaign, adding 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks. Those numbers earned him West Coast Conference freshman of the year and sixth man of the year honours.
Preseason Glimpse Against the Pistons
In Friday’s preseason clash with the Detroit Pistons, Graves logged 23 minutes, scoring nine points and pulling down eight rebounds while filling in at centre. Toronto rested its regular rotation, allowing the rookie to face a Pistons lineup that included starters Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Duncan Robinson.
“Just the experience of being out there, especially being able to play against those guys,” Graves said. “They played their starting core for the majority of the game, really the whole game, so being able to play against that competition, get used to it, get adjusted, was helpful. Still, obviously an adjustment period, just learning defensively, offensively, just trying to figure out where I fit in my role and just continuing to attack.”
His shooting night was rough: four made field goals on 13 attempts, with all five three‑point efforts missing. Nevertheless, the response from teammates and staff was supportive.
“My shot wasn’t falling, but they [tell me to] keep shooting. ‘We know you can shoot. We see you do it every day. We see you work so hard on it, so just keep shooting,’” said Graves. “I feel like leaning on my teammates has been big, and my support system with my family and everybody has been amazing.”
Coach Rajakovic on the Learning Curve
Rajakovic stressed that patience is essential for any newcomer adjusting to the NBA’s tempo.
“When players come, the first thing that they need to adjust is the speed of the game,” he said. “For them at the beginning, the game is happening at such a high speed, and they need to slow down in order to understand what’s going on around them. I think the most important thing is for players, for media, for everybody to understand that it’s a process. It’s not something that we’re going to throw him out there and he’s going to have all the answers. It’s going to take time.”
The coach’s message aligns with Graves’ own outlook. The forward reiterated his openness to spending time with the Raptors’ G‑League affiliate, Raptors 905, if that proves the best route for his development.
“Whatever they see as the best plan for me this year [is fine]. Redshirt years have always benefited me, at Santa Clara, I took a redshirt year,” Graves said courtside at the OVO Athletic Centre, Toronto’s training facility. “Obviously, I want to be out there on the court with those guys. I want to be playing with Scottie and playing with those guys. But if they say the best fit is 905 or whatever it may be, and come bring me in later, then that’s what it is.”
Why it Matters
Allen Graves’ early conduct signals a rookie who understands that success in the NBA is built as much on attitude as on talent. His willingness to embrace any assignment — whether starting with Toronto’s main roster or gaining minutes in the G‑League — provides the Raptors with a versatile asset who can grow without disrupting the team’s established core. For a franchise aiming to blend veteran excellence with youthful promise, Graves’ approach could become a template for how Toronto nurtures its next generation of talent.
