Raptors Make Their Pick
The Toronto Raptors used their 19th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to select forward Allen Graves, adding a new piece to a roster in the midst of a long-term rebuild.
The pick came on a night dominated by the Washington Wizards, who opened the draft by selecting BYU standout AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick. Dybantsa led the entire nation in scoring during his lone college season, making him the consensus top prospect heading into draft night.
Who Is Allen Graves?
Graves arrives in Toronto as a forward with the tools to grow into a rotation player. Details on his college or international career were highlighted in draft coverage leading up to the pick, and the Raptors' front office clearly saw enough to pull the trigger inside the lottery.
For a franchise that has been prioritizing youth and development since the post-championship era, landing a player at 19 fits the philosophy: accumulate assets, develop talent, and build sustainably.
A New Chapter in Toronto
The Raptors have been through a significant transition over the past few seasons, parting ways with core pieces from their 2019 championship run and leaning into a younger identity. Each draft becomes a meaningful building block.
Toronto fans will be watching Graves closely during summer league and training camp, eager to see what kind of impact the newest Raptor can bring to Scotiabank Arena.
The full draft picture will come into focus over the coming weeks as picks sign their rookie deals and rosters take shape ahead of the 2026–27 season.
Source: CBC Sports
