Raptors pick Allen Graves 19th overall in NBA Draft

The Toronto Raptors selected Santa Clara forward Allen Graves with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the NBA Draft on Tuesday night in Brooklyn. The six-foot-eight, 19-year-old wing is the latest addition to the franchise's long-standing preference for versatile, athletic forwards.

Graves, who averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game in his freshman season, earned West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year honors. Raptors executive vice president Bobby Webster described Graves as a high-processor and a two-way player who excels in the possession game on both ends of the floor. Webster highlighted Graves's defensive potential and shooting, noting the forward converted 41.3 percent of his three-point attempts last season.

In a video call from the draft, Graves said he felt he fit right into the organization's culture, which he experienced during a pre-draft visit. He expressed excitement about joining a winning program moving in the right direction and believes he can contribute alongside established defenders like Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles.

The selection continued a team philosophy Webster referred...