Jeffery Edward Allen Jr. (born June 12, 1987) is an American professional basketball player for Metros de Santiago.[1] Prior to signing with them in February 2021, Jeff played in the Cypriot League where he was 1st in the league in RPG (rebounds per game)13.3, EFF (efficiency) 28.3, and BPG (blocks per game)1.6 and 2nd in PPG (points per game) at 21.3 while shooting 57% from the field.[2][3][4] Allen won 'League Player of the Week' on an impressive league high 4 occasions in 2020 (Week 1,4,5 and 13).[5][6][7][8] He also was awarded with All-Imports Team, All-Defensive Team, All-Second Team, and Newcomer of the year by the Eurobasket.com All-Cyprus League Awards 2021.[9]
He played college basketball for Virginia Tech in the ACC where he was a 4-year starter. Over the 4 years Allen averaged 12.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.7 SPG, and 1.1 BPG while playing an average of 29 minutes per game.[10][11]
College career
In his four-year career at Virginia Tech between 2007 and 2011, Allen played in 134 career games and made 130 starts. He became the first player in ACC history to record 1,500 career points, 1,000 rebounds, 200 steals and 150 blocked shots.[12]
Professional career
After going un-drafted in the 2011 NBA draft, Allen moved to France and played for Olympique Antibes during the 2011–12 LNB Pro B season. In 32 games for Antibes, he averaged 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game.[13]
In 2012, Allen began a successful career playing in Israel, signing with Hapoel Tel Aviv for the 2012–13 season. After an injury hit year in 2012–13, Allen moved clubs and joined Hapoel Afula for the 2013–14 season.[14] In 34 games for Afula, he averaged 19.5 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.6 blocks per game.
On July 22, 2014, Allen signed a two-year deal with Maccabi Haifa.[15] However, his stint with Haifa only lasted half a season after being released by the club on December 7, 2014.[14] The following month, he signed with Šiauliai of Lithuania for the rest of the season.[16] In 20 league games for Šiauliai, he averaged 5.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
On September 24, 2015, Allen signed a short-term contract with Hapoel Tel Aviv, returning to the club for a second stint.[17]
On September 10, 2017, Allen returned to Hapoel Tel Aviv for the 2017–18 season.[19] However, on December 9, 2017, Allen was released by Hapoel after appearing in eight games.[20] On January 11, 2018, Allen returned for a second stint in Hapoel Afula for the rest of the season, joining his former teammate Tre Simmons.[21]
On August 1, 2018, Allen signed a one-year deal with Peristeri in Greece.[22] However, on October 21, 2018, Allen parted ways with Peristeri and joined Hapoel Haifa.[23]
In the summer of 2017, Allen competed in The Basketball Tournament on ESPN for the number one seeded FCM Untouchables. Competing for the $2 million grand prize, Allen averaged 8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game on 67% shooting from the field. The Untouchables advanced to the Super 16 Round where they were defeated 85–71 by Team FOE, a Philadelphia-based team coached by NBA forwards Markieff and Marcus Morris.[28]
