KABOOM: Texas Lands Five-star Forward
Shaka Smart's first year at Texas just went from good to great.
Today, the Longhorns, who began summer classes Thursday, received the signed paperwork - the time period to sign a National Letter of Intent ended a couple of weeks back, so recruits now sign an Athletic Scholarship Agreement - of 2016 five-star big man Jarrett Allen, per sources. Rated as the No. 15 prospect overall in the 2016 Rivals150, Allen becomes Texas' second five-star member of the 2016 recruiting class and second McDonald's All-American along with guard Andrew Jones. Those two join four-star 2016 prospects guard Jacob Young and center James Banks. The Longhorns also added Tulane transfer Dylan Osetkowski, who has to sit out next season, and Arkansas-Little Rock graduate transfer Mareik Isom.
Immediately, Allen is basically a lock to start at the four spot for Texas and become an immediate focus on offense. After Orangebloods.com saw Austin-area product up close at the McDonald’s All-American Game and practices, it became clear the 6-9 prospect can be used in the mid-range, is a player that can facilitate offense from the perimeter and elbows, as well as the low post, and has the back-to-the-basket ability to be a featured part of a college offense along with be a rolling or pop big man out of pick-and-rolls.
"It has looked for a while like Allen would ultimately end up staying in Austin to play for the Longhorns but that doesn't at all diminish the importance or landing him or how hard Shaka Smart and his staff had to work to land the talented big man," Rivals.com national basketball analyst Eric Bossi said. "Allen has to get stronger but he's an agile athlete who runs the floor, rebounds at a high rate, has soft touch and is adding to his offensive repertoire quickly."
Throw in that Allen boasts an impressive hoops IQ on the floor that puts him in the right places at the right time, and is an athletic, active big that can rim-protect, and there’s a reason why after the Nike Hoop Summit the well-respected NBA Draft site DraftExpress.com projected him in the lottery for the 2017 Draft. Allen's athleticism, skill, and instincts make him a perfect big man fit under Smart, who proved last year he was able to feed big men often in the half-court and also utilize transition play.
Allen's recruitment was, obviously, a very, very lengthy one. He never publicly stated a small group of finalists, but Allen likely selected Texas over Kansas and Houston, and held offers from the likes of North Carolina, Kentucky, and many more. During the 2015-16 hoops season, Allen regularly attended Texas home Big 12 games, and was sometimes accompanied by friends and family. But landing Allen wasn't a layup for Texas. He took official visits during the fall to Notre Dame, Kansas, Houston, and Kentucky.
"Because of graduation losses, Smart needed able bodied big men and grabbing a local five-star prospect is a huge win," Bossi said. "Allen should be able to play big minutes from the jump. By convincing Allen, fellow five-star and McDonald's All-American guard Andrew Jones and four-star guard Jacob Young to stay in state the new staff in Austin has proven that they will be formidable on the recruiting trail."
Allen is among those selected to the Team USA training camp roster for the upcoming 18U FIBA Championships, and that team's head coach is Smart.
What does this mean for Texas? Suddenly, the Longhorns have gone from rebuilding to reloading. Allen was the gigantic, final piece Smart needed to make his first season at Texas the kind of season that can quickly propel the program to new heights. Suddenly, the Longhorns will be a team that should be a serious threat in March, and in the Big 12. Landing Allen also puts Smart and company on the map as big-time recruiters not just in the difficult-to-recruit Lone Star State, but also nationally too. It was a long wait, but Allen's decision is finally in. And those in Austin are celebrating.
"Previous to landing Allen, the Longhorns had the 16th best recruiting class in 2016. With his addition, they will move into the top 10 recruiting classes in the country," stated Bossi.