By Robert Haugh

Santa Clara University’s Allen Graves is headed to the NBA.

The Toronto Raptors selected Graves with the 19th overall pick in the NBA Draft on June 23, making him the latest Bronco to join the professional ranks.

Graves is Santa Clara’s sixth first-round pick in program history. He follows a notable list that includes NBA Hall of Famer Steve Nash, who was selected 15th in 1996, Jalen Williams, who was picked 12th in 2022, and Brandin Podziemski, who was selected 19th in 2023.

The selection also puts Santa Clara in rare company. 

According to the university, the Broncos now stand alongside Arizona, Baylor, Duke, Kansas and Kentucky as one of just six NCAA Division I programs with a top-20 pick in three of the past five NBA drafts.

Graves made his mark quickly in his lone season at Santa Clara.

Graves was named West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. He shot 51.2 percent from the field and helped lead the Broncos to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996.

Because of Graves’ clutch last-minute shot, Santa Clara nearly pulled off a first-round upset over Kentucky in one of the wildest games of the tournament.

For Santa Clara basketball, Graves’ selection in the draft continues a strong run of NBA success.