Toronto Raptors rookie Allen Graves may be the youngest player on the roster, but the 19-year-old is already carrying himself like someone who’s been around the block a few times.
Before making his NBA Summer League debut in Las Vegas, Graves spoke with Es Baraheni from The Athletic about the off-court habit that’s been with him for years: reading.
He said the love started at home, thanks to his mother, who built the routine early.
"Every day, she made sure we read for 30 minutes before bed," Graves said. "It started off with Magic Tree House, then went to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. All those books, I had to read a lot of them."
For a first-round pick, it’s not exactly the hobby you’d expect to hear about first. But Graves, who is from Ponchatoula, La., said the bookshelf has only become more important to him over time.
He’s also got an Instagram account to back up that side of himself. His page, @allen_studies, is centered on his faith, and for more than two years he’s been posting nearly 10-minute Bible scripture videos every day.
Toronto took the 19-year-old power forward from Santa Clara University with the 19th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, valuing his defense and physicality. Graves, though, told Baraheni he sees his biggest strength a little differently: his mind.
On the floor, he’s backed up that confidence so far. Through two Summer League games, Graves has averaged 15 points and nearly 57 per cent shooting from the field, while adding 16 rebounds and making his presence felt on the glass.
The Raptors have two more games left in Summer League this week, against the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat, before the event wraps up by July 19.
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