Allen Graves has already shown Toronto Raptors fans a glimpse of what he can do, but the real test is still ahead.
The rookie is heading toward his first NBA training camp next month, and after flashing in the Las Vegas Summer League, he’s now about to find out how that game translates against seasoned veterans. In four summer league outings, Graves put up 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals, a line that made him one of the standouts among rookies in the showcase.
Bleacher Report contributor Zach Buckley called him “a curiosity in college, a reserve on a mid-major with some of the best analytics around,” and noted that Toronto selected him with the summer’s 19th pick. Buckley wrote that Graves’ summer league performance was “a proof-of-concept performance for everyone who saw him as a potential Swiss Army knife.”
But there’s plenty of uncertainty attached to that early buzz. Buckley also pointed out that Graves’ “lack of athleticism could be a real challenge against actual NBA defenders, and his outside shooting still has to prove sustainable with a significant increase in volume.”
He added, “This isn't to say Toronto fans should abandon hope. It's just a reminder that those hopes are nothing more than that at this stage.”
That’s where the Raptors come in. Graves may not arrive with the most explosive tools, but Toronto is expected to put him in a setting where he can grow into his role. At 20 years old, he still has time to get stronger and develop physically.
The appeal is obvious: Graves showed in college that he can fit into multiple spots in a lineup and contribute in different ways, exactly the kind of flexible skill set Toronto likes to build around. Summer league offered a preview of that versatility, and the Raptors are banking on more of the same as he keeps learning.
For Graves, the path forward is simple enough. He’ll make mistakes as a rookie. The key will be how quickly he turns those lessons into progress.
Graves and the Raptors are set to begin training camp in Quebec City in late September.
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