NBA insiders and some former players now working as analysts continued to pick the brains of prospects who became pros after Tuesday’s draft.
In the case of one first-rounder, he quickly stood out during interviews for his mature responses. While talent, hard work, and potential earned him his spot, it was his answers that caught the attention of many.
Insider Claims Allen Graves Separated Himself During Draft Interviews
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst shared on “The Hoop Collective” on Wednesday that former NBA player-turned-analyst Iman Shumpert talked to rookies during draft interviews.
Shumpert wanted to know what the new pros would work on in their game after getting selected by NBA teams.
Windhorst said that Allen Graves’ response immediately caught his attention.
“He’s like, ‘Well, I really feel like I need to work on my switching ability, and getting ready to switch.’ I was like, that’s something you hear from a 4th-year player, who understands his only way forward is to be a role player.”
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“It was very clear we were not talking to a guy who was 20 going on 18. We were talking to a guy who was 20 going on 28. … I couldn’t tell you, I can’t tell you how impressed I was with him.”
The player that Brian Windhorst enjoyed talking to the most at draft day round 1 last night was Allen Graves 🤝
“[Iman Shumpert] was asking guys, ‘what are you going to work on this summer, now that you’re in the NBA?’ And he’s like, ‘Well, I really feel like I need to work on… pic.twitter.com/TIsUO2RZtL
— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) June 24, 2026
Graves, projected to go in the early 20s in most mock drafts, went No. 19 to the Toronto Raptors.
Windhorst said that the 19-year-old former Santa Clara Broncos star did not receive a green room invitation until about a week ago and added that Graves likely thought he would be a second-rounder.
As a versatile 6-foot-9 forward who started in just four of 35 games with the Broncos, Graves already had an understanding of what he should work on to earn minutes with the Raptors.
In a team that has star forwards Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and R.J. Barrett, Graves knows he will get playing time by standing out with his versatility on both ends. It is a role that he thrived in with the Broncos, so it is something that he will need to be even better at in the pros.
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Graves’ acknowledgment of his weakness was unsurprising. PFSN’s scouting report on him already hinted at what he could bring to the NBA.
“Allen Graves is a very skilled, high-IQ complementary player who could fit the mold of a modern four in the pro ranks. The 6’9″ forward averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while helping Santa Clara reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 30 years.”
The NBA Summer League will start in roughly two weeks. Insiders and analysts will be checking if Graves shows off an improved game based on what he intended to work on.