VITALS: 6-4, 214, Oklahoma St OVERVIEW: Allen is a shooting guard prospect who spent two seasons at Oklahoma State after spending a year apiece at a pair of junior colleges. He was named Big 12 Player of the Year this past season after averaging 16.0 points and leading the Cowboys to the Final Four. Allen prefers to attack the rim and averaged close to six free throws a game. As a shooter, he is fairly suspect and saw his percentage drop from the 3-point arc from his junior to senior season. The Chicago native is also a fierce defender who used his quick feet to offset his relative lack of size on the wing. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Allen is an early second-rounder with an outside chance of sneaking into the first round. He had a number of individual workouts with NBA teams and was impressive at Chicago. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Michael Finley, Ruben Patterson COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Tony Dumas ROLE PROJECTION: Key reserve POSITIVES: Allen's greatest strengths are his pro body and superb athleticism. With his broad chest, thick shoulders and chiseled arms, he has a better build than most NBA 2-guards. Furthermore, Allen's quick first step enables him to get into the lane consistently, and his athleticism makes him a good finisher, defender, rebounder and shot blocker. SHORTCOMINGS: A slasher but not a shooter, Allen's perimeter game is streaky and unreliable. That is a serious concern considering he is a perimeter player. Moreover, Allen measures a shade under 6-4 without shoes, making him smallish for a 2-guard. While scouts do not believe his size will be a significant disadvantage in the NBA, it will not be a strength for him, either. WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "Boy, he's a huge athlete. Terrific heart. Can't miss prospect." - Dallas Mavericks president Donn Nelson
