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JA
Basketball Biography

Jarrett Allen

“Charles”

American flag American · San Diego, California · Born 21 April 1998

Center

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American basketball center known for his shot-blocking, rebounding, and rim protection. NBA All-Star who has established himself as a defensive anchor.

Jarrett Allen was born on 21 April 1998 in San Diego, California, and grew up in Austin, Texas, attending Round Rock High School before transferring to St. Stephen's Episcopal School, where he won two conference championships and earned McDonald's All-American honours. He played one season at the University of Texas before entering the 2017 NBA Draft. The Brooklyn Nets selected Allen 22nd overall in 2017, and he developed into one of the most efficient centres in the league, renowned for his rim-running, shot-blocking, and lob-catching ability that made him a highly productive interior presence despite a relatively low usage rate. Allen was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021, and earned his first All-Star selection in 2022, becoming a foundational piece of the Cavaliers' frontcourt alongside Evan Mobley. He set a franchise record for consecutive double-doubles in January 2024, surpassing a mark previously shared by Andre Drummond and Elmore Smith. Allen holds the highest career offensive rating in NBA history among players with at least 15,000 minutes played, a reflection of his remarkable efficiency, and has continued to anchor Cleveland's defence while representing the United States in national team player pools, cementing his reputation as one of the league's most productive low-usage centres.

Famous For

Elite rim protection and athletic finishing around the basket

He and Evan Mobley have formed one of the NBA's best defensive frontcourts in Cleveland, providing the Cavaliers with elite rim protection that has underpinned multiple playoff appearances.

Did You Know?
Playing Style

How They Played

Athletic rim-running center with strong defensive presence

Legacy

Lasting Impact

Modern defensive anchor who developed into an All-Star center

Honours & Achievements

Career Honours

  • All-Star 2022
Club Career
Club Period Apps Shirt
Brooklyn Nets2017–2021251#31
Cleveland Cavaliers2021–20241389#31
Career Journey

Timeline

2016 🎯 McDonald's All-American selection in high school
2017 📌 NBA debut with Brooklyn Nets
2017 🎯 Selected 22nd overall in NBA Draft
2021 📌 Traded to Cleveland Cavaliers
2022 🥇 First NBA All-Star selection
2022 🎯 Signed 5-year extension with Cavaliers
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

4 common questions about Jarrett Allen

His combination of elite athleticism, shot-blocking timing and rebounding instincts, which make him one of the most reliable defensive centers in the Eastern Conference.

His defensive frontcourt tandem with Evan Mobley is considered one of the NBA's best, providing Cleveland with an elite interior defensive presence.

Yes — he was an All-Star in 2022, recognition of his consistent excellence as a starting center.

Brooklyn Nets, where he developed into a starting-calibre center before the Harden trade sent him to Cleveland.