I wonder if this was all a hoax. Did Groce ever meet Allen? Or just communicate via Twitter?
I somehow think I remember Jamill was the one who did all the leg work on this kid. Not totally certain but we did have a conversation long ago. He should have shown up with 3 years of eligibility IIRC. Story was that his advisor in Jamaica did not have him take the correct courses to transfer to US college. He lacked one senior level course which landed him in JUCO. No knowledge of why but he transferred to Lamar State College at Port Arthur.
32 • Anthony Allen
7-foot-1, Center, Freshman ~ Bassick HS, Bridgeport, Conn.
High School
He led Bassick High School to two state championships in 2008 and 2010. Signed by the University of Ohio out of high school.
Before Lamar State
Red-shirted at the College of Southern Idaho before transferring to Lamar State this season.
Personal
-- The son of Anthony Allen and Sheryl Johnson. He has six siblings: brothers Thurany and Theadore; sisters Triquenya, Tanisha, Trisha and Tania.
-- The first 7-footer to play for Lamar State College-Port Arthur.
-- His hometown is Kingston, Jamaica.
-- He is majoring in Liberal Arts.
He is averaging 6 rebounds, 4.4 blocks a game and 8.3 points.
There was no Twitter recruiting. He was committed here. Current coach says
Another candidate for center is 7-1 Anthony Allen , a graduate of Bassick High School in Bridgeport, Conn. Allen, the first-ever 7-footer to play basketball for Lamar State, has only been playing organized basketball for four years but showed enough talent that he was signed out of high school by the University of Ohio. He instead red-shirted at the College of Southern Idaho and transferred to Lamar State for his first season on the collegiate floor.
He led Bassick High School to two state championships in 2008 and 2010 and continues to develop in the paint as he heads into his first season for the Seahawks.
“He is a developing post presence who is very athletic, runs the floor well, and can be a game changer,” Madison said. “I look for Anthony to score in the post, chase down rebounds, block shots, and be a force in the paint for the next two seasons. If he improves his footwork and continues to develop, he has the potential to be a big-time Division I player.”