4-star Marcus Allen talks official visits and updates recruitment
Marcus Allen is the No. 42 player in the 2024 On3 Conseusns. The 6-foot-6 wing averaged 16.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game with the Florida Rebels program on Nike’s EYBL 16u Circuit this summer.
“I go out every game and try to play my hardest,” Allen told On3. “I try to focus on the defensive side because I know if I lock in on being a two-way player, it will open up everything for my game.”
With the successful summer he had and the role he is playing with top-ranked Chandler (AZ) AZ Compass this season, college programs have taken note. On3 caught up with Marcus Allen recently to talk about his recruitment and visits.
“I’ve taken an unofficial visit to Florida State,” Allen said. “And then I’ve taken two official visits to Miami and Missouri.”
Allen talks visits
Miami: “I’ve been around the program since I was little. Most people don’t know, but my mom worked for the school on the nursing side. So growing up there, going to games, being around the program for so long, I already knew the ins and outs of it going into the visit.”
Missouri: “The new coaching staff, Coach (Dennis) Gates and Coach CY (Charleton Young), Coach CY actually gave me my first offer when he was at Florida State. So him going to Missouri and us already having that relationship was the biggest thing for me.
They’re an up-and-coming program. I feel like I fit their play style because they focus a lot on the defensive end, taking some of the tools and principles from Florida State. I can see myself playing in that system.”
Florida State: “Coach (Leonard) Hamilton is a great coach, legendary. Going there and talking with him, I learned a lot from him. More than just the basketball side of things, but from a life aspect as well. He’s a man of God, too, so we were able to connect on that part as well.”
“I’m talking to Villanova, Arkansas, Oregon, and Ohio State about possible visits,” Allen said. “I’ll take an unofficial visit to Arizona State soon. South Carolina and Michigan I’m hearing from a lot too.”
In Allen’s words
“I want to go to a school that fits me,” Allen said. “A program where I have a good relationship with the coach will be big. I feel like if I have a relationship with the coach, that opens up everything because we get to have those talks outside of basketball as well. I’ll want to go into an environment where I feel the love.
“I want to play in a fast-paced system, something similar to what we have here at AZ Compass. I’ll want to get up and down and play in a program that focuses on defense because that allows everything to open up on the offensive end.”
Scouting report
You walk away from watching Marcus Allen, and you talk about the toughness. He is a strong-framed, long-armed wing prospect who simply enjoys doing the dirty work, the work that most players do not like to do. Allen is a tough defender; he has the quickness to defend the ball and the size and length to switch up a lineup and do some things in the post. He has lockdown-type potential at the highest level on that end. Allen is a good rebounder in his position as well. He finishes well around the basket, especially in straight lines, but will need to tighten his handle and develop some counters off the bounce. Coming out of this summer, he needed to work on the jumper; however, early returns on the season show a confident stroke, off the catch, especially from the corners. There is some work to still be done, but there is no denying the effect Allen has on winning.