Indiana University Athletics
Allen Signs With IU
11/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
November 11, 2004
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. --Ben Allen, a 6-10, 250-pound center from Melbourne, Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport has signed a national letter of intent to continue his basketball playing career at Indiana University, Hoosier head coach Mike Davis announced today. Allen will enroll at IU in the fall of 2005 and will be eligible to compete for Indiana in the 2005-06 season. Davis believes Allen could have an immediate impact.
"When you add Ben to the guys we will have back next year, we will be one of the most talented teams in the Big Ten," Davis said. "My staff, especially (Associate Head) Coach (Kerry) Rupp, deserves a lot of the credit for this. Whether it is on the floor coaching or recruiting, Kerry, Donnie (Marsh) and Thad Fitzpatrick bring a lot of energy that has paid off."
The Indiana coaching staff plans to utilize Allen much the same way that former All-Americans and eventual first round NBA draft picks Kirk Haston and Jared Jeffries fit into the Hoosier system. A member of Australia's 18-and-under and 21-and-under national teams, Allen is equally comfortable on the perimeter or in the low post.
"If Ben Allen was a high school player in the United States, he would be a top-10, top-15 player nationally," Davis said. "With his ability to play both inside and outside at his size, he is a special talent. Coach Rupp has established some great recruiting connections in Australia, and Ben's signing is just one example of that."
The addition of Allen means that the Hoosiers will have one of the deepest frontcourts in the country next year. Former Auburn star and All-Southeastern Conference forward Marco Killingsworth will be eligible to play next season after sitting out this season as a transfer, and the Hoosiers also will return D.J. White, Pat Ewing, Jr., Sean Kline and Lucas Steijn.
"We will be able to create some serious matchup issues up front," Davis said. "Marco (6-8, 240 pounds) will be the best low post player in the Big Ten next year. He is already making a difference against the other guys in practice this year. Pat Ewing is really athletic for his size, D.J. and Lucas will each have a year of experience under their belt, and Sean Kline will be a veteran leader next year."
