STRENGTHS:

• Really good rebounder; always crashed with physicality, a near 14% offensive rebounding rate, 20% defensive rebounding rate, plays with force

• Really effective shooter; slower release, shot 41% from 3 on seven attempts per 100 possessions, 42% on catch and shoots, 44% on guarded 3s, stretches the floor well there using dribble hand-offs as a primary weapon. Effective in the mid-range on low volume as well (45%)

• Solid finisher at the rim at 63%; backs down defenders with his strength and wide frame. His offensive rebounding ability makes him a great threat for putbacks. Also shot 79% as a cutter and 48% as a roller

• His size being a threat bodes well in his passing ability; 14% assist rate, only 25 turnovers in 35 games, constantly screening, rolling, making quick decisions with the ball. A great off-ball, connector piece in an offense

• Defensive playmaker; 4.9% steal rate ranked in the 100th percentile, 5% block rate, 2.8 stocks per game in his 23 minutes a night; moved his feet well and is schematically versatile due to his processing and reaction time

WEAKNESSES:

• Only started in four games and played roughly 23 minutes per game; not that the expectation is for him to be a high level starter, but it is to say that the stamina is low at this current moment in limited minutes and what could an increased role look like

• Athletic limitations will be louder at the next level; it is fair to question how he fairs in space on defensive and how he counters the lack of creation, which wil continue in the next weakness 👇

• Given his low usage role, it'll be easier for NBA to counter his playstyle with running him off the line due to him not doing anything off the dribble; 63% of his shots were assisted, reverts to a backdown if he isn't taking the spot-up shot, which doesn't seem translatable to functional offense like how it was at Santa Clara

• His athletic limitations, combined with his big frame and size, likely positions him as a player who guards 4s and 5s instead of being greatly positionally versatile. Can question how sustainable his stock rates are if players continue to shoot well (54%) when he's the closest defender

Summary: Allen Graves is mostly an unknown within the casual draft follower, and admittedly, he's not the most exciting type of player that will rack up highlights. He is an analytics darling but it shows up in the way he plays. He is an awesome offensive rebounder, a defensive playmaker as a rim protector and in the steals department, takes care of the ball as a highly trusted connector piece and shoots really well on all areas of the floor. He is a limited athletic piece on both ends and will not be much of a creator at all. Truthfully, his ideal, best and most effective role will be as a connector piece on any winning team. He has feel for the game and a skillset that works best for teams who are trying to compete right now, even as a 19 year old. Graves has the body and playstyle that reflects winning qualities, and despite him being not so big of a name, he should go as high as the lottery, mid-first round.

Player Comparison: Shades of Boris Diaw and Bobby Portis

Best Fits: Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Charlotte Hornets

Role Projection: Disruptor / Floor-spacer Comps: Grant Williams; Shane Battier

THE analytical darling of the draft. 6th in the class in Box plus-minus, behind Boozer, Yaxel, Caleb Wilson, Zubi, and DP. Redshirt freshmen for a mid-major and didn’t even start, but stats say he’s an anomaly hiding in plain sight. Mind you, the last two players to come out of Santa Clara were Brandin Podziemski and Jalen Williams, who both soared up draft boards in the final weeks before the draft.

Great traditional passer. Stellar 2.6 assist to TO ratio. Lacks flair or variety but gets the job done. Has a nice touch for hitting cutters via the bounce pass. Never dominates the ball but still makes plays. Very careful with the ball, just 25 turnovers in 35 games.

Rebounds very well. Per 40min of around 11 and half per game, with 5 of which being on the offensive end. Total rebounding % of 16.7 and O rebounding % of 13.8. Can vacuum anything in his orbit.

Very effective ball-screen partner. Has great technique as a screener, allowing either him or the ball-handler to get free. Was in top 10 in total attempted pick-and-pop 3s and drilled them on 42.5% accuracy. Slow shot, but looks really smooth. Helps that he has little dip in the shot. High-arcing too so often gets that shooter’s bounce.

Approached uncharted waters with his defensive playmaking. Had steal and block rates both at 4.9%. Has ELITE floor reading and anticipation abilities. Could play safety in the NFL. Best hands in the class. Makes up for his lack of athleticism with a 7’1” wingspan. Strong weak-side rotator and shot-alterer. Very translatable skills for the NBA.

Isn’t crafty around the rim despite being primarily a below-the-rim operator. Had a measly 12 dunks on the season, and excluding those, shot only 52.8% on FGAs at the rim during half-court possessions. Playing on the ground is a strong suit, but has trouble powering up through bigger rim protectors. Relies on his feel for the game, which granted is very high-level, to find open space and just be in the right space at the right time. Shot 78% when cutting.

Limited by his athletic ability. Will be targeted by faster guards. Can handle those driving straight at the rim, but lacks lateral foot speed and pop.

22-PF- S: stronger than he looks, stays vertical, has a good eye for the ball, a floor space (from 3), can use him in pick n roll, makes the right reads for his shooters and cutters to score, rebounds, rarely tunsover the ball

W: has to use his size better when backing down an opponent at the rim (learn a move or two), have to be better at staying out of foul trouble, have to more consistent from 3

COMPARISONS:

++PHYSICALS++

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RATINGS: OVERALL:

REBUILD:

CONTENDER:

Prospect Rating: 6.5

Graves is a high IQ, versatile big man with good NBA size. Offensively he’s shown he can stretch it from beyond the arc consistently. This makes him a big threat in the pick and pop. He lacks plus athleticism and explosiveness to create rim pressure at a high level but uses a nice touch to finish at a decent level. His high basketball IQ leads him to a low number of turnovers and the ability to make the right plays consistently. He’s able to use his size to grab some boards, though doesn’t project as an elite rebounder in the NBA. Defensively he’s very intelligent. Is able to position himself well to help teammates when they’re beat. Isn’t the tallest big but is able to hold his ground well because of his lower center of gravity and smart defense. His lack of athleticism and speed will ultimately prevent him from successfully guarding guards and wings in the NBA

Analytics say this is the best player in the class (move up for him Cleveland)

On a serious note, Graves projects to be a perfect role player. Awesome spot up shooter, defender, and offensive rebounder. Does all of the little things right, fits seamlessly into any offense, he would be a great piece for a late lottery team looking to build an identity.

Ceiling: Rui Hachimura / JWill