Allen Graves is a right-handed power forward with good hands, terrific efficiency, and some crazy per-minute numbers. Graves averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.9 steals in just 22.6 minutes per game. He came off the bench in 31 of 35 games as a freshman but still led the West Coast Conference in box score plus/minus. He was named First Team All-WCC. At 6'8" with a 7'0" wingspan and a 226-pound frame, Graves is close to the avg. NBA power forward size. He shot 41.3% from three-point range and 75.0% from the free throw line, while posting an incredible 2.52-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio for a forward. Graves uses his off hand well, hits a variety of banker shots, and generally plays with the kind of feel that makes his game easy to trust. Defensively, the numbers were outstanding. Graves’ DEFRTG was 7.2 points better than the Santa Clara team DEFRTG, and his steal rate reflects his instincts and activity. The concern is athleticism. He does not move his feet that quickly, had the third-slowest lane agility time at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine, and posted a 34" max vertical. He is pretty clearly a below-average runner and jumper by NBA standards. We think Graves goes late in round one, and we like him a little better than that. The concerns about lack of NBA athleticism are real, but smarts and skills usually win out. With his shooting, passing feel, defensive instincts, efficiency, and unusual production in limited minutes, Graves is one of the more interesting frontcourt prospects in this draft.
