Ray Allen (Part 1)

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10 Mar 2024

Ray Allen (Part 1)

Walter Ray Allen Jr., born on July 20, 1975, is an American retired professional basketball player. With an illustrious career spanning 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), Allen was honored with induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 2018. Revered as one of the greatest three-point shooters in the history of the sport, Allen held the record for most three-pointers made in a career from 2011 until 2021 when Stephen Curry surpassed him.

Allen's basketball journey began at the collegiate level, where he showcased his prowess as a sharpshooter for the Connecticut Huskies over three seasons. His exceptional long-range shooting skills caught the attention of NBA scouts, leading to his selection as the fifth overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. Throughout his NBA tenure, Allen established himself as a prolific scorer, notably during his tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he collaborated with Glenn Robinson and Sam Cassell to achieve playoff success, albeit falling short of a championship.
Subsequently traded to the Seattle SuperSonics, Allen further solidified his reputation as a premier scorer, setting multiple league records for three-point and free throw shooting. Despite individual accolades, including ten NBA All-Star selections and an Olympic gold medal in 2000, Allen pursued his championship aspirations, ultimately finding success upon joining forces with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in Boston. Together, they formed the celebrated "Big Three" and secured an NBA championship in 2008.

After a fruitful stint with the Celtics, Allen ventured into free agency, opting to join the Miami Heat. Embracing a reserve role, Allen's clutch shooting proved instrumental in securing another championship for the Heat in 2013. Notably, his game-tying three-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals stands as a historic moment in basketball lore.
Beyond his on-court achievements, Allen showcased his versatility by delving into acting, notably portraying basketball prodigy Jesus Shuttlesworth in Spike Lee's acclaimed drama "He Got Game" in 1998. His portrayal earned widespread acclaim, and the character's name became synonymous with Allen's basketball persona.

The third child among five siblings, Allen was born at Castle Air Force Base near Merced, California, to parents Walter Sr. and Flora Allen. Growing up in a military family, he experienced life in various locations, including Saxmundham, Suffolk, England, Altus, Oklahoma, Edwards Air Force Base in California, and Germany. After years of constant relocation, his family settled in Dalzell, South Carolina, where Allen attended high school. Initially, he struggled to fit in due to his accent acquired during his time in Britain. However, his natural athletic abilities and strong work ethic allowed him to excel in sports. When a growth spurt favored him in basketball, he dedicated himself to becoming the best player possible.

Driven by his ambition to dominate the local basketball scene, Allen practiced rigorously every day, prioritizing his studies alongside. By the age of fifteen, he earned a spot on Hillcrest High School's varsity team, eventually leading them to their first state championship game. In a remarkable display of talent, Allen contributed 25 points and 12 rebounds in a decisive victory for the Hillcrest Wildcats. Notably, he shared the court with future Major League Baseball player Terrell Wade during his time at Hillcrest. Amidst growing interest from college recruiters, particularly from the University of Kentucky, Allen ultimately chose to accept an offer from the University of Connecticut, setting the stage for his remarkable basketball career.

Allen enrolled at the University of Connecticut, where he attended from 1993 to 1996.
During his freshman year in 1993–94, Allen played in 34 games as a reserve, averaging 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in 21.6 minutes per game. He earned recognition on the Big East All-Freshman Team.
In his sophomore season in 1994–95, Allen started in 31 out of 32 games, averaging 21.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.9 steals in 32.8 minutes per game. He was honored with first-team All-Big East selection.
As a junior in 1995–96, Allen started in all 35 games, boasting averages of 23.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 steals in 34.7 minutes per game. He was named the Big East Player of the Year and received first-team All-Big East recognition. Additionally, Allen played a key role in leading the Huskies to their third consecutive Big East Conference regular-season title and their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

Following his junior season, Allen declared for the 1996 NBA draft. As of 2018, he ranked fifth all-time in total points scored with 1,922 points, fourth in career scoring average with 19.0 points per game, first in three-point field goal percentage with 44.8%, and his 818 points scored as a junior stood as the third-highest single-season total in UConn history.
Throughout the years, Allen received numerous honors from the University of Connecticut, including being named honorary captain of the UConn All-Century Basketball Team in January 2001, induction into the UConn men's basketball "Huskies of Honor" recognition program in February 2007, and having his jersey number 34 retired by UConn in March 2019. In May 2023, Allen graduated from UConn with a Bachelor's Degree in General Studies.