The 6-Foot-9 Freshman Nobody Saw Coming Just Locked In For The NBA Draft, And Scouts Are Hyped!
Alright, Seattle fam, listen up! While we're all out here watching our Mariners and prepping for Seahawks season, some massive news just dropped in the hoops world that's got the NBA buzzing. Allen Graves, a forward out of Santa Clara, just confirmed he's keeping his name in the NBA draft. This dude is a projected first-round pick, and seriously, his journey to this point is wild. He told "The Old Man and The Three" podcast that the college door is officially closed. Get ready to learn about the player who came out of nowhere to become an analytics darling.From Unranked to Undeniable: Graves' Surprise Breakout
Think about it: Graves was an unranked recruit coming out of high school. He even redshirted his first year with the Broncos. But last season, Coach Herb Sendek threw him into the rotation, and bam, an absolute star was born. This 6-foot-9 forward from Louisiana wasn't even starting regularly, only getting into four games and playing less than 23 minutes per game. Yet, he still averaged a super impressive 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.9 steals coming off the bench. That kind of production in limited minutes? That's the stuff draft scouts dream about!The Numbers Don't Lie: Why Everyone's Talking Analytics
His raw stats are great, but the advanced metrics? They’re screaming! Graves wasn't just good; he was elite in several key categories. He ranked in the top 20 nationally for offensive rating, showing just how efficient he was when he touched the ball. And if you like hustle, get this: he was top 60 in offensive rebound percentage and an insane top 10 in steal rate. Plus, he wasn't just a big body; he was shooting better than 40% from 3-point range! This guy is versatile. We even saw him drop 18 points and grab nine boards against Gonzaga earlier this January. Those are big-game numbers from a player who was supposed to be a nobody. So, what does this mean for the upcoming NBA Draft? It means one more incredibly intriguing prospect is officially in the mix. Graves is proof that sometimes, the biggest talents come from the most unexpected places. He’s set to make some team very happy, and we can't wait to see where this journey takes him. The draft is going to be electric with players like this on the board!🐦 What fans are saying on X
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.