Grayson Allen
- Year: Sophomore
- Height: 6-foot-5
- Position: Guard
- Last year's statline: 4.4 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 0.4 APG
Game Breakdown: Allen’s athleticism has always been the defining trait of his game. In his freshman season, the Jacksonville, Fla., native established himself as a solid off-ball cutter and spot-up shooter when opponents had their plate full against Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow. But that doesn’t mean Allen forgot how to attack the basket. With a strong boost in confidence from his 16 points in the national championship game, the sophomore is likely to attack the paint more often and use his athleticism to finish plays in the face of much bigger defenders, adding a new dimension to his outside shooting ability.
On the other end of the floor, Allen defends with high energy against opposing guards and will certainly not be afraid to put his body on the line for his team. The sophomore's athleticism allows him to stay in front of his opponent and squeeze past screens to leave less space for perimeter shooters.
Role on the team: With Tyus Jones and Quinn Cook departing for the NBA, Allen and junior guard Matt Jones remain the two most experienced backcourt players on head coach Mike Krzyzewski's roster. But with injuries early in the preseason, the Jacksonville, Fla., native is likely to carry more of a load for the team on both ends of the floor as Jones fully recovers from his groin injury.
Offensively, Allen is expected to deliver consistent scoring output at the shooting guard position. Without a dominant big man controlling the paint, Krzyzewski will look to maximize his team’s firepower on the perimeter. Although it may be unrealistic to expect a replica of Allen's championship performance every night this season, the championship-winning guard is expected to carry more offensive responsibility for the Blue Devils. During Jones' absence, Allen is expected to be the main playmaker on the court, distributing the ball to open teammates and controlling the pace of the offense.
Defensively, Allen is expected to fill the shoes of Justise Winslow from time to time and take on the opponent's top guards or wing players. The sophomore's defense mentality also serves as an example for the new talents Allen brings in his second season with the team.
NBA comparison: Ben McLemore
Like Allen, McLemore is an athletic perimeter player with a deadly shooting stroke. The Sacramento Kings guard defines his game as a threat beyond the arc—with a career 34.2 percent shooting clip— and a highlight reel machine with his top-notch athleticism, something that Allen is eager to show more in front of the Cameron Crazies in the new season.
Projected statline: 10.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.5 SPG
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