New Raptors draft pick is blown away by Toronto's beauty

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The newest member of the Toronto Raptors couldn't be more excited to be here.

On Tuesday, Toronto selected 6-foot-9 forward Allen Graves with the 19th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft out of Santa Clara University.

Graves was officially introduced to the media on Thursday at the OVO Athletic Centre in Toronto, where blogTO asked the 19-year-old what he thought of the city so far.

The 19-year-old from Ponchatoula, La., first visited the city a few weeks ago when the Raptors put him through a pre-draft workout. He said one of the first things he did was record videos to show his family.

Allen Graves was drafted 19th overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2026 NBA Draft. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

"I remember I was just walking around the lakeshore with my Meta Glasses on, recording the city and sending it to my family, saying, 'Man, this is beautiful.'"

Toronto will be a major change for Graves, who grew up in a town of fewer than 8,000 people. But despite moving to a city roughly 400 times larger, he said parts of Toronto remind him of home.

"Being from Louisiana, I love scenery and stuff, so I love that you still get that in this big city," Graves said. "I feel that's pretty cool."

He remarked that the city definitely has fewer swamps and alligators.

Graves also told blogTO that he's most excited to experience living in a big city and to play for a fan base that spans an entire country.

"Growing up in Louisiana, I always felt like I had the state behind me. Now, I get to say there's an entire country behind us up here in Toronto," he said.

#Raptors newest draft pick, Allen Graves, was introduced to Toronto media today.

He says all the greenery in Toronto reminds him of his hometown -- Ponchatoula, La., but with fewer swamps and gators. pic.twitter.com/HshdXIDqin
— Marley Dickinson (@marleydickinson) June 25, 2026