Rising junior Thomas Allen has been a name around the North Carolina that has been thrown around. He not only was a huge contributor for Garner last year, helping them to a 4A state championship, but it now seems that schools are starting to notice him as a possible target for the 2017 recruiting class.
He showed his talents on the biggest stage this past season, scoring 16 points in the championship game and taking home Most Outstanding Player award. But he backed that up with a tremendous off-season for Garner Road, leading his team in scoring several times this summer.
Allen has continued though to stay focused this offseason, not only when he was playing on the circuit, but also on his game overall.
“The summer was pretty good,” Allen told Phenom Hoops. “The circuit was great, a lot of competition on the Adidas Gauntlet. And I’ve also been working on getting stronger, a lot of leg work, while also doing boxing as well to get quicker with my moves and be more aware of what is going around me.”
And he certainly hopes that the work will help him in his recruitment. Allen informed that schools like Clemson, Virginia, and Alabama have been showing interest in him.
“Clemson sent me a letter, saying that I had a really good summer,” he said. “Virginia just sends me a lot of letters and Alabama called just saying that I’m on their radar.”
Allen is a tremendous guard that can score in several ways. He attacks the basket, scoring a lot of his points pushing the ball and heading towards the basket, while also staying under control and finishing. But if you think you think you can leave him open on the outside, you would be mistaken. He also shows a tremendous shooting range and can hurt you from the outside, easily knocking down three’s.
Allen is an under the radar kind of prospect on the national level but Phenom Hoops has been high on this 6’2 guard from Garner. But after an impressive summer on the circuit, we fully expect him continue his growth in helping the Trojans defend their state championship last season.
Garner lost some key parts from last season, including lead point guard and captain Julius Barnes, the pressure will now increase this coming season for him to take an even bigger role for the Trojans.
As of right now, Allen is still looking for his first offer and will be heading to East Carolina for a camp, a place where he could earn his first offer if he displays what he can do on the court.
But we expect his recruitment to pick up down the road and his name could reach a national level if he continues what he has done this offseason.
You have been warned…