Raptors draft pick Allen Graves wants to see Drake rocking his jersey: ‘Big flex’

'Having his support is amazing and just another asset to the team,' newest Raptor says

Published Jun 24, 2026  •  3 minute read

Allen Graves poses on the red carpet prior to Round 1 of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. Photo by Arturo Holmes /Getty Images

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Toronto Raptors draft pick Allen Graves can’t wait to see Drake wearing his jersey from his courtside seats at Scotiabank Arena.

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“I mean, obviously that would be a big flex just having Drake rocking my jersey courtside. I know he’s a big part of the Toronto Raptors, so his support would be amazing … tell him to reach out,” Graves said with a laugh after he was selected 19th overall in the first round of the NBA Draft on Tuesday night.

“But having his support is just another asset to the team and another enticing factor of being drafted by the Toronto Raptors.”

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Graves not the only one

Last year, Raptors pick Collin Murray-Boyles had the same goal after he was picked ninth overall.

“How high on the priority list is the goal to become boys with Drake and have him rock your uniform?” a reporter asked him in an interview.

“I guess, it is on the list, but it’s going to obviously take a lot of work,” Murray-Boyles said laughing. “I’m ready to work, ready to rep the city. So we’re going see.”

But Murray-Boyles, who was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie second team last month, admitted seeing Drake wearing his jersey would be “amazing.”

When he was speaking to Amazon’s Taylor Rooks, Murray-Boyles went a step further by telling the NBA sideline reporter that he planned to tag Drake when he touched down in Toronto.

“First thing I gotta do when I get to Toronto is post on my Instagram Story, put a Drake song in there and I’m going to at him,” the former South Carolina forward said laughing.

Collin Murray-Boyles walks the red carpet upon arriving for the first round of the NBA draft on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. Photo by Adam Hunger /AP

Graves and Murray-Boyles’ pleas to Drake matched former Kansas Jayhawks guard Gradey Dick’s shoutout at the 2023 NBA Draft.

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After he was taken with the 13th overall pick, Dick asked reporters to “get Drake a jersey. I need Drake to wear my jersey.”

How Drake became Raptors’ global ambassador

Drake has been the global ambassador for the Raptors since 2013. He told ESPN that he landed the gig after he “came into the venue one night and … was extremely outspoken about what I felt could change.

“That sparked a discussion and (we) sat down and decided we had the same visions,” he told the outlet. “It just turned from a discussion to a reality.”

One of music’s brightest stars, Drake said he cares “about the city more than anything in the world” and namechecked a slew of former Raptors for turning him onto the game of basketball.

“I was a Vince Carter guy. I was a Damon Stoudamire guy. I was a (Tracy McGrady) guy,” Drake said. “I’ve supported the franchise through our ups and downs. More than anything, I’m a Toronto guy. I’m a city guy,” he said.

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Graves ready to embrace the North

Graves, who averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game for the Santa Clara Broncos last season, told reporters he’s excited to play for the Raptors, calling himself a “cerebral player” and a “connective piece.”

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He also heaped praise on his new teammates when he was asked which Raptors players inspired his style of play.

“I’ll just talk about the team this year. Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles. Both of those guys, their impact on both ends of the floor, being able to impact offensively as well as defensively. That’s something I want to do at the next level,” he said.

Allen Graves reacts after he is drafted 19th overall by the Toronto Raptors during Round 1 of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 in New York. Photo by Arturo Holmes /Getty Images

Graves also said he loved visiting the city earlier this spring.

“It was amazing,” he said. “I saw the culture there and how amazing it was.”

He also reflected on what it’s going to be like playing for an entire country.

“I come from Ponchatoula, La., so there’s a big support system there. It’s kind of an everybody knows everybody town. So just having that feeling coming up north is going to be amazing. The family culture of it. That’s what I’m used to. That’s what I grew up in,” he said. “Knowing that same thing is in Toronto waiting for me is an amazing feeling.”

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