Raptors rookie Allen Graves is about to hit the NBA floor rocking No. 22, and the reason behind that choice is an absolute gut punch. It is way more than just a number on a jersey. Graves revealed last month, via the NBA on X, that he chose No. 22 to honor his late brother, Koce, who wore that same number in high school. This isn’t just about personal tribute, this is a deep, personal motivation that could fuel a standout career.
The Heartbreaking Reason Driving Toronto’s New Talent
Graves has been wearing No. 22 for pretty much his entire basketball journey. He rocked it at Ponchatoula High School, where he dominated enough to snag the 2023-24 Gatorade Louisiana Boys Basketball Player of the Year award. Then he kept it shining last season as a freshman at Santa Clara, leading the Broncos to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996. Talk about a lucky number! Now, as the 19th overall pick, he is bringing that legacy to the Raptors, becoming the 10th player in franchise history to wear No. 22 and the first since Ulrich Chomche. This isn’t just a uniform choice, it is a constant reminder of what drives him every single game. That kind of emotional connection? It translates directly to effort and passion on the court, and Toronto is about to reap the benefits.
The Numbers Are Already Screaming “Game Changer”
If you thought the jersey story was good, just wait until you see Graves’ resume. As a freshman at Santa Clara, the guy was an absolute monster, snagging both WCC Freshman and Sixth Man of the Year honors. He dropped 11.8 points, grabbed 6.5 rebounds, dished out 1.8 assists, and snagged 1.9 steals per game, all while shooting a sharp 41.3% from beyond the arc in 35 games. His advanced stats were off the charts too, ranking fifth in the country in PER at 29.6 and eighth in box plus-minus at a staggering plus-13.4. The Raptors saw that talent and knew what they were getting.
Then came Summer League, and Graves didn’t just show up, he absolutely exploded. In four games, he averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, three assists, 2.2 steals, and one block. He hit double figures three times, including a monster 22-point, 13-rebound effort on July 10. Graves, a 6-foot-8 force, was hyped coming into the draft for his defensive versatility and ability to completely alter games on that end of the court. The team can already see him “wreaking havoc in the frontcourt,” and they are practically salivating to see him debut next season.
Graves is bringing more than just skill to the Raptors. He is bringing a profound sense of purpose. With that No. 22 on his back, expect him to hit the ground running and make a real impact when the season tips off. The Raptors are eager to see him in action, and frankly, so are we!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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