2008 Woodie Awards
Destined to Fly
Family ties pull Allen south as he plans to transfer to Georgia Southern
Jared Wilkes
Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: Sports
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Allen signed a letter of intent Nov. 9, to play basketball for Division I-AA, Georgia Southern Eagles, next year.
"I chose Georgia Southern because I have family in Georgia and I feel it is a better position for me to start then at a higher level school," Julian Allen, Waterbury, Conn., said.
Allen is currently the second leading scorer on the team averaging 18 points and six rebounds per game for the Busters. He was named the Connecticut State Player of the Year in 2004-05, averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds per game at Crosby High School, in Waterbury, Conn.
Before attending GCCC, Allen played for Pensacola Junior College where he averaged 12 points and four rebounds per game earning him Freshman Player of the Year.
Growing up on the streets of Waterbury, Conn., was not easy for Allen and his family. Living in a house with his mom and five other people was difficult.
"I grew up with a hard life, living in the projects, my pops never around, it was just me and my mom, it was tough," Allen said.
Allen' s family has been a big part of his life and his success in basketball. They have always supported Allen in every decision he makes.
"I give credit for my success to me and my family, without my family I would not have made it this far," Allen said. "The discipline I had, made me the man I am today."
His mother is his biggest fan and introduced Allen to the game of basketball.
"My mom bought my first basketball when I was six or seven and I always kept it with me," Allen said. "Then I just taught myself by watching people older than me."
Head Basketball Coach, Jeff Price, of GSU is expecting Allen to make a major impact.
"We expect Julian to contribute immediately and be an impact player in the Southern Conference," Price said.
Next fall, Allen will play both the two and three position for the Eagles basketball team.
"We recruited Julian to be an impact right away and feel he's capable of that. He's a tremendous scorer both from the perimeter and a great kid," Price said.
Allen feels that he will be a great contributor and fit right in to the program at GSU.
"The basketball program is very good and the academics too, they graduate about 85 percent of all their students," Allen said.
Allen stepped up scoring 31 points against rival, Dodge City Community College, last night. A highlight of the game came in overtime when he put back his own missed free throw with 4.2 seconds to seal the Busters' victory 75-74.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Brian Gladney
posted 2/07/08 @ 10:12 PM CST
Now, Julian don't forget about mrs. G if it were not for her I don't think you would be playing today and maybee would not even have played in High school. (Continued…)
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