Jordan Allen, a 6-foot-6 combo forward from Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, New York, will be playing his division one college basketball close to home for head coach Mo Cassara at Hofstra University in Hempstead.
Allen recently competed in the Mary Kline Memorial All Star event at The Pennington School in New Jersey, an event held by talent scout Alex Kline in memory of his mother.
Kline feels Allen has enough skill to play several different positions on the college level. "Jordan can play the 2, 3 and 4," said Kline.
"One of the best features to his game is his ability to finish at the rim," Kline continued. "Allen had several reverse layups on the fast break. He made some tricky shots look very easy. He needs to get his jumper down and impact the game more at all times."
WHAT JORDAN THINKS OF THE HOFSTRA BASKETBALL PROGRAM AND HEAD COACH MO CASSARA:
"I'm excited about the chance to play for Hofstra. I like Coach a lot and I'm excited about having a chance to play there. I'll do whatever coach needs me to do."
"Everything added up," said Jordan. "They had everything I look for in a school -- great education, great program, a new coach (Mo Cassara)."
"When my father, myself and Gary Charles (program director of the New York Panthers) sat down with coach Cassara, who told me flat out everything is going to be earned," Allen said.
"He felt like I could come in right away and play and be a major factor," Allen continued.
"What was most important to me was the fact that he said that I'm going to have to work and that my reward would come later. That's all I could ask for, only because nothing in this world is given for free."
"I really like the coaching staff too," he said, giving credit to the head coach and the assistants for his decision.