Toronto Raptors rookie wanted to high-five Drake before NBA debut

Toronto Raptors rookie Allen Graves remembers watching NBA opening night on television every year, but on Wednesday, Oct. 21, facing the Chicago Bulls, he finally got to experience it for himself.

Speaking with Offside on Thursday, the 20-year-old from Ponchatoula, La., said he's still trying to take it all in.

Graves made his debut in front of a sold-out Scotiabank Arena crowd and scored his first bucket off an offensive rebound midway through the second quarter. But there were a few moments before he hit the floor that really stuck with him.

"Just being able to walk out in front of the Scotiabank fans and hear the national anthem. That was the moment I was just looking around and thinking, 'Man, this is, this is real. I'm here,'" Graves told Offside.

 

 

 

 

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"I watched that moment so many times on TV and everything. Now it's just being able to live it and be out there in that moment; it was an amazing feeling."

The Raptors' first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft made a significant impact in his debut, especially defensively, recording five points, five rebounds, and three blocks in 19 minutes off the bench.

He admitted to feeling some nerves when he first made his way to the scorer's table to check in, especially having to walk past Toronto's own Drake, who was back in his courtside seat for the first time in a while.

Graves said he thought about reaching out to give the rapper a high-five, but the rookie ultimately decided to play it cool.

First NBA game nerves? Sure. But what’s the protocol when you walk past Drake courtside? 😂 Raptors Rookie Allen Graves on the dilemma : https://t.co/1YOJsuhsIg

— Off The Roster (@OffTheRosterPod) October 22, 2026

"I mean, just having the support system we have here in Canada is definitely great, you know, obviously you're running to go check in for the first time, you look to your left, and you see Drake," Graves said.

"It was cool to see him right there."

Graves said he received hundreds of texts from family and friends after the game. And as of Thursday, he still hadn't found time to respond to them all.

He'll have some time to catch up on those messages as the Raptors head to Washington and Minnesota for a two-game road trip between Friday and Sunday.