UConn legend who developed the most mechanically perfect jump shot in basketball history.
Rayford Walter Allen was born in Merced, California in 1975. He attended the University of Connecticut and across three seasons averaged 19.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. He was the Big East Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. His shooting mechanics — studied by coaches as the gold standard for jump shooting technique — were refined across his Connecticut career. His release point, consistent arc and textbook footwork were already exhibiting the qualities that would make him the NBA's most prolific three-point shooter. He led Connecticut to three NCAA Tournament appearances. Milwaukee Bucks selected him fifth overall in the 1996 NBA Draft. His UConn career established the foundation of what became a two-decade professional career producing 2,973 career three-pointers — the NBA record when he retired. Connecticut basketball has a rich tradition of producing NBA guards and Allen is among the finest. His three seasons in Storrs — developing the shooting technique that would become his professional signature — represent the college foundation of one of basketball's greatest specialised skill sets.
Big East Player of Year
Career Honours
- Big East Player of Year
- All-American
- Tournament scoring performances
- UConn program cornerstone