i'd be rolling in my grave if i didn't draft this guy PHYSICALS: Official Measurements 6'7.5" Barefoot 225.6 lbs. 7'0" Wingspan 8'10.25" Standing Reach STRENGTHS: Games Watched Santa Clara v. Minnesota Santa Clara v. Gonzaga Santa Clara v. Pacific Santa Clara v. Louisiana Santa Clara v. St. Louis Santa Clara v. Utah Tech Santa Clara v. Pepperdine Santa Clara v. Kentucky Strengths - Incredibly efficient in his minutes, only playing 22.6 MPG in a bench role. - Graves measurables are more than ideal. - Graves is a legitimate stretch big at the NBA level. He shot 41% from three, with a third of all his shots being from behind the arc. He was particularly good at the top of the key, converting 42% (36/85) of his shots in that area. - His ability to space out defenders with the threat of his three point shot and attack closeouts make him more than just a projected stretch big, he actually proved he can be one. - He showed the ability to make threes as a trailer and on catch and shoot looks. - As a driver Graves is able to consistently make his way to the rim with physicality and finish at a solid 55% clip. - Graves is really good at navigating traffic when he's around the rim. He showed he can hit hook shots consistently as well as floaters, but can also post up and has a nice push shot in his bag. - He's really good at finding open space and capitalizing on it, slipping screens and taking shots or kicking it out when help defense comes to him. - Graves is a really solid passer with a 2.5 AST/TO rate and 13.8 AST%. He passes the eye test as well, making tons of passes off the dribble and finding small windows to fit the ball into. - Great touch and hands around the rim. - Graves posted a ridiculous 5% steal rate, which ranked in the 100th percentile, along with a 5% block rate, which ranked in the 87th percentile. The steal rate means he was generating a steal on roughly 5 out of every 100 opponent possessions while on the floor, while the block rate means he was blocking about 5% of opponent two point attempts. These numbers are incredibly impactful for someone coming off the bench like he did. - Graves averaged 1.9 SPG and 0.9 BPG, so nearly 3 stocks per game. - Graves posted an absurd 13.9 OREB% (99th percentile), so he was grabbing an offensive board roughly 14/100 possessions. He's a good defensive rebounder as well, averaging 20 DREB%. He is truly an absurd rebounder through and through. - If it wasn't evident in his statistical profile, Graves is an extremely intelligent defender. He understands his role on defense, where he is on the court, and what's going on around him at all times. - Graves physicality helps him rebound really well but also defend rollers in the P&R. - Graves does a great job of getting vertical and contesting. - His ability to stay connected to drivers and get vertical gives him good versatility to be switched onto different positions. WEAKNESSES: Weaknesses - He's a functional athlete but isn't going to wow you with speed or athletic prowess, thus limiting his draft ceiling in comparison to some of the other 4/5's in the class. - Graves is pretty stiff laterally and can be very upright when defending centers, leaving him prone to good footwork. - Gambling for steals and over aggressiveness are his biggest pitfalls as a prospect. You'll often see him gamble for a steal on the perimeter, not get it, and then get punished for it. This issue is only going to be exacerbated at the NBA level. - Averaged 5.3 fouls per 40 minutes. - Graves aggressive nature led to a lot of fouls despite his limited minutes, resulting in Santa Clara actually having a slightly better defensive rating with him off the court (109.9 on, 105.1 off). - Graves often finds himself out of position by his own doing. When he gambles for steals he not only puts himself in recovery mode, but also puts pressure on his teammates to make up for him. - Graves can leave his feet too often as a defender, leading to him being baited into contact and fouling. - His handle can get loose when he's met with physicality on his post moves. - Only shot 2.6 threes per game.