Graves and Bradley touchdown in Toronto: Here’s what they have to say

Allen Graves and Jaden Bradley have been wrapped up in the whirlwind of the draft, seeing the two players make their way north to Canada to speak to media ahead of the Summer League’s beginning.

Graves entered flanked by family, his brother a prominent presence on the sidelines as the rookie took a seat at the OVO Athletic Centre. The former Louisiana Mr. Basketball was collected and relaxed as he spoke about the outpouring of support from his Ponchatoula community – 8000 strong – where “literally the whole town” was picking up the phone to wish him well.

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He called Toronto “amazing,” and spoke positively about the city’s greenery as similar to that of his native US south. The connection to home is strong, noting that his father worked four jobs – as a bus driver, in a mechanic shop, and as a minister – and brings that ethos of working hard to his play on the court. “I got to take my job as serious as he does,” said the forward. And indeed, Graves seems to have a good understanding of his place on the team, and in the league.

He said that his year one focus would be on defence, “being able to switch, being able to guard,” with that side of the ball being how he would “keep getting contracts.” Graves was confident about his abilities, saying that the latter half of the season, especially his matchup with Gonzaga, marked when the NBA dream felt real. “I feel ready, I wouldn’t have took it if I didn’t think that I was ready, and I was able to play at this level.”

Bradley, drafted just last night, was a bit more subdued after flying in to Toronto from North Carolina. Bradley was born in Rochester, New York, and lived in Charlotte for much of his life. Similarly to Graves, he spoke about his defensive responsibilities as paramount to his play. “I knew I had to hang my hat on the defensive end,” he said. “My freshman year at Alabama, I had some great, great players and I knew I had to… kind of earn minutes.”

That unselfish perspective from the former Big 12 Player of the Year suggests he’ll fit in well on a Raptors squad alongside the roster of other points…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/graves-bradley-touchdown-toronto-181450141.html

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Publish date : 2026-06-25 18:14:00

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