Indiana University Athletics
Ben Allen Named To Australian Young Men's National Team
7/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
June 24, 2005
Bloomington, Ind. - Future Indiana Hoosier Ben Allen was selected as one of 12 members to the Australian Under-21 National Team, and will compete at the FIBA World Championship for Young Men. The tournament, which will be held in Cordoba, Argentina from August 5 through August 14, features the world's best players from countries around the globe who are 21 and under.
Allen secured his spot on the team with a recent performance in a South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) contest, when he led the Australian Institute of Sport over NW Tasmiania Thunder, 110-93, on June 18. In that game, the 6-10, 250-pound IU freshman-to-be dominated the court, accounting for 30 points in 32 minutes of action, connecting on 13-of-24 attempts from the floor, while also grabbing 17 boards, including nine offensive rebounds. He also accounted for four assists, three blocks and hit 2-of-6 shots from behind the arc.
With the FIBA Championships upcoming, the "Crocs" will leave Australia for a European tour beginning July 14. The Crocs will be playing in Greece and Slovenia, before heading to Toronto for another tournament and then onto Argentina.
The Crocs have a short history at the World Championships, playing only three events at this level. They took the gold medal in 1997 with players like Matthew Nielsen, Chris Anstey and Sam Mackinnon when the tournament was played in Australia. They finished eighth at the two other Championships and are favored to medal in 2005.
Follow Ben Allen and the Crocs preparations, along with their World Championship bid via Basketball Australia's website - www.basketball.net.au or on iuhoosiers.com.
