March Madness is underway and today’s college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer’s NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Santa Clara’s Allen Graves is expected to go in the first round.
Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the forward’s draft night will play out.
Allen Graves 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 24 overall, Denver Nuggets
All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection
Kalbrosky’s Analysis:
Perhaps the most enticing, under-the-radar prospect in all of college basketball is Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves. It was hard not to notice the WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year after he scored 30 points with 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals on Feb. 7 against Washington State. All-in-one metrics are high on him, per CBB Analytics: He ranks 99th percentile in Win Shares per 40 minutes, Wins Above Replacement Player and Player Efficiency Rating. Meanwhile, the only player under 21 years old who currently holds a higher box plus-minus is Cameron Boozer, via Bart Torvik.
See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here
Allen Graves player profile
(all stats as of March 15)
- Position: Forward
- Current Team: Santa Clara
- 11.6 points per game
- 6.5 rebounds per game
- 1.8 assists per game
- 51.7% field goal percentage
- 41.6% three-point field goal percentage
Denver Nuggets 2026 projected draft picks
- No. 23 and No. 45 (via ATL)
All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection
