KJ Allen, ‘Last Chance U’ alum, to transfer from Texas Tech
LUBBOCK, Texas (BVM) – After two years with Texas Tech basketball, junior forward KJ Allen made the decision to enter the transfer portal. Allen announced his decision through On3 college basketball reporter Joseph Tipton.
“I would like to start by thanking God for his continuous blessings, including giving me the opportunity to put on a Texas Tech Red Raider uniform,” Allen told Tipton. “I would also like to thank Red Raider Nation, the Texas Tech administration, my coaching staff, my teammates and managers for taking me in as family. I will forever remember and cherish the good times I had here at Texas Tech the past two years. With that being said I will be entering the transfer portal. I wish the program and all the fans the best!”
NEWS: Texas Tech forward KJ Allen, former star of Last Chance U, will transfer, he tells @On3sports.
Story: https://t.co/lBei8C0hPd pic.twitter.com/xjIDER6thG
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) March 15, 2023
In two seasons with the Red Raiders, Allen served primarily in an off-the-bench role, playing in 46 career games with zero starts averaging 2.2 points and 1.9 rebounds over 8.5 minutes. Allen’s best year came this season when he averaged 2.4 points and two rebounds over 9.1 minutes in 27 games.
Netflix Top 10 in the U.S. Today 🎥@Kjallen32 | #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/csuxOzuqtc
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) December 18, 2022
News of Allen’s transfer makes sense considering the difficult situation surrounding the Texas Tech program. On March 8, head coach Mark Adams resigned from his post after he made “racially insensitive comments.” Allen is one of three Red Raiders to enter the transfer portal already.
Texas Tech forward KJ Allen will enter the transfer portal, per @tobias_bass.
Allen averaged 2.4 PPG and 2 RPG last season for the Red Raiders on limited playing time. Really a great kid and someone who can rebound at a high level.
Allen is the third Red Raider to enter the…
— Austin Massey (@austinmasseySBI) March 15, 2023
Allen is no stranger to the transfer portal. Originally a junior college standout for East Los Angeles College, Allen transferred to Texas Tech after two seasons with the Huskies where he averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 steals as a freshman during the 2019-20 season.
That season also coincided with Netflix’s first season of “Last Chance U: Basketball” which featured ELAC. Thanks to the show, Allen gained a wide following from fans across the country and the world.
Kealen Allen is the Dunk of the Week star! 🏀⭐️ pic.twitter.com/Reu008Dc2R
— Last Chance U: Basketball (@LastChanceU) March 31, 2021
While Allen has not been able to make his star turn at the Division I level yet, he will look to make his mark on another program after entering the portal. Given his nearly 50 games of experience at basketball’s highest level, he should be a hotly pursued commodity whether as a role player on another Power 5 unit or a starter for a smaller school.
