Recruiting Report: Dontaie Allen (2019)
We are on the tail end of summer basketball and around the country, college prospects at all levels are working on their game and working toward earning an opportunity to play at the next level. Prep Hoops Kentucky puts the spotlight on prospects around the Bluegrass State.
One of the best pure scorers Kentucky has seen in the past few years, 6’6″ Pendleton County Junior Dontaie Allen already holds three in state offers and has a Big East power showing early interest. Allen was one of the leading scorers in Kentucky last season, averaging 29.1 points per game to go with 12.2 rebounds. Dontaie had multiple triple doubles as well as several games with 40+ points for coach Keaton Belcher and the Wildcats. Allen shot an impressive 51% from the field in his sophomore season and lived at the foul line. Dontaie shot almost 8 free throws per game and hit at just shy of 80% for the season. I recently talked with our #4 ranked player in the 2019 rankings about his AAU season, recruiting and upcoming Junior season.
PHKY: Describe your game. What do you do best? What are you working to improve? Do you model your game after anyone?
DA: I look at myself as a shot creator but also am a playmaker because I feel I make everyone around me better and play to a higher level. My best attribute would be my will to win. I’m working to improve my weaknesses as far as defense, shooting more midrange jump shots and improving my athleticism by getting in the weight and getting stronger.
PHKY: Recap your AAU season. Were you happy with how you played?
DA: My AAU season went well. I played good, but if I had to put a label on it, it would be a learning experience. I went from 22 Vision to Hoop Dreams then to the Kentucky Royals. I’m not happy with hopping from team to team that’s why it served as a learning experience for me.
PHKY: What colleges are showing interest or have offered?
DA: I currently have offers from NKU, EKU and Morehead State. I’ve also heard from Xavier and IUPUI. I’ve taken an unofficial visit to Xavier also.
PHKY: What are you looking for in a college?
DA: I’m looking for a college that has a coaching staff that 100% believes in me and my abilities. Coaches who will help me unleash my full potential as a player and help me grow into becoming a man. Also, I will go where I feel like I could have a good experience at that college even if I didn’t play a sport.
PHKY: What are your goals for the upcoming HS season?
DA: The goal for the upcoming season is to go to Rupp Arena when postseason comes. The individual accolades are nice but they mean nothing without Rupp attached to it.
Photo Credit: Falmouth OutlookDontaie Allen can (and does) play every position on the floor for Pendleton County. Dontaie’s offensive skill set is worthy of a Top 100 national ranking. With Twenty Two Vision he showed his ability to contribute without scoring by collecting rebounds and leading the break. With the Kentucky Royals, Allen played point guard, ran the offense, scored half the points and gathered most of the rebounds. Dontaie has the potential to become a big time national recruit with a strong 17u AAU season next year. The 2019 class in Kentucky is absolutely loaded with Division I talent and Dontaie has as much or more potential as any of his higher ranked classmates. It will be fun to track his growth over the remainder of his high school and AAU careers.