Malcolm Shields/Staff Writer
sports@fiusm.com
Jeremy Allen transferred to FIU from Central Michigan
The game of basketball has been good to senior guard Jeremy Allen. While traveling is seen as a negative play within the game, because of basketball, this Detroit native has been afforded the opportunity to travel across the country to be around some of the best talent the game has to offer. For Allen, his introduction to basketball had its humble beginnings.
Allen first stepped foot on the hardwood while in elementary school.
“I was horrible when I first started out,” Allen said. Through his hard work and the guiding hand of his then coach, Robert Giles, Allen made steady improvements. “I really had to teach myself and coach Giles was the first one to really give me a chance to play basketball.”
With early success on the court came expanded opportunities entering his high school years. AAU basketball is reserved for the best talents within its local area to travel across the country to play other high schoolers with the hopes of grabbing the attention of Division I coaches for a potential scholarship.
For Allen, his chance to play on the big stage against some of the best in the nation was during his junior year at the Big-Time basketball tournament in Las Vegas. His play garnered him first-team all tournament honors. His name on the first-team was alongside current NBA players O.J. Mayo, Eric Gordon, Jeff Teague, Bill Walker, DeAndre Jordan, Brandon Jennings, Kevin Love and Derrick Rose.
“Just to see my name on that list, that was a big moment in my life,” Allen said.
One of his running mates on his AAU team is another “Motown” native who also calls U.S. Century Bank Arena home: DeJuan Wright. “We grew up together. We’ve been playing together for a moment,” said Allen.
The current duo in the backcourt has been the scoring punch for the Panthers this season. Wright leads the team with 15.9 points per game, while Allen follows with 13.6 points per game.
Allen’s next step was to the college ranks and to nearby Central Michigan University. In his two seasons as a Chippewas, Allen struggled as his scoring average was less than 10 points per game in both seasons. Compounded with less playing time in his second season, Allen was granted to transfer from Central Michigan.
The transfer process was made easier for Allen when his former assistant coach at Central Michigan, William Eddie, was named an assistant at FIU. The man who hired Eddie was none other than Detroit Pistons legend and current FIU head coach Isiah Thomas.
“They came to a camp that I was playing in a scrimmage and coach Thomas came down and [was] sitting there watching me. I think that was the hardest that I have ever played in my life,” a chuckling Allen said. “I just wanted to show how many skills I had.”
Allen’s skills also included his knack for stealing the basketball.
“He is very active. He is one of the leaders in steals in the country,” coach Thomas said of Allen’s defensive abilities. Not only does Allen’s 42 steals lead the Panthers, but he is ranked third in Division I basketball in individual steals this season.
His hard work paid off as Allen was given a scholarship to begin play at FIU in the 2010-2011 season. During his transfer year in 2009, Allen put in the work to learn coach Thomas’ offensive and defensive philosophy.
In this, his final season at FIU, Allen is posting some of his best numbers in his college career. His points per game, rebounds and assists are all up from previous seasons. This season has also included a dramatic game-winner against Coastal Carolina and being voted team captain.
“It’s a great honor. I just try to lead by example and [try] helping the younger [players],” Allen said of his captainship. As Allen comes down the stretch of his college career, he wants to leave his mark on FIU basketball. “I leave it all on the floor and I play every game like it is my last.”
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