PONCHATOULA, La. — Allen Graves is going pro.
The former Ponchatoula star officially announced that he will be declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft.
Graves announced the move on social media Tuesday night:
“This journey has been nothing but a blessing, and I give all of the glory to God for every opportunity and every challenge that has shaped me. I am beyond thankful for my family, that has supported me every step of the way. I’m grateful to Bronco Nation for believing in me. This path is not one that I have walked alone.
“Humble yourself before the Lord, and he shall lift you up!” – James 4:10
With that faith and foundation, I’ll be declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft.”
Allen Graves powered Ponchatoula to back-to-back (2023&2024) Division I Non-Select state championships in his final two years with the Green Wave.
He earned the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year honor as a senior in 2024.
Graves chose to redshirt his first year at Santa Clara.
The 2025-26 season marked his first true college campaign; he became the WCC Freshman of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, and a first-round NBA draft prospect.
He was a critical part of a Santa Clara lineup that helped the Broncos’ basketball program reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1996.
Graves had 17 points and 7 rebounds in his March Madness debut, but No. 10 Santa Clara suffered a heartbreaking loss to No. 7 Kentucky in the first round.
The 6’9, 225-pound sensation will now focus his time and attention on preparing for the next level.
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