Now, it’s easy to see that Duke basketball alum Grayson Allen is excelling.
The Duke basketball program has been home to some of the most famous athletes in college basketball history. Although that comes with some highly revered talents, there is also a lot of hatred toward some of the school’s most recognizable players.
Arguably, the most hated player in college basketball history has been silently making a case as one of the best current role players in the NBA, that being 2015 Blue Devil national champ Grayson Allen.
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The 26-year-old is in his fourth pro season and has made an incredible jump in his new home with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Consistent production from the Duke basketball product
Through 14 games this season, Grayson Allen is putting up career-highs in nearly every category. He’s averaging 16.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. And he’s doing so with incredible efficiency, shooting 45.1 percent from the field, 43.8 percent from beyond the arc, and an impressive 92.0 percent from the free-throw line.
Allen has changed the narrative behind his career and has bought into his role. He has excelled in playing to the best of his abilities, which was on full display last season with the Memphis Grizzlies. The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks saw this potential, traded for him, and immediately offered a two-year, $20 million extension.
He’s lived up to every penny.
The former Duke basketball captain has easily been one of the most consistent players for the Bucks. He’s scored double-digits in all but one game and has even had some explosive performances. In a win against the Philadelphia 76ers last week, Allen finished with 25 points, shooting 61.5 percent from the field while being a +18 on the court.
An impressive feat nonetheless, but Allen even saw his MVP teammate give him some incredible praise after the game. When asked in a postgame interview which former teammate the NBA Blue Devil reminds him of, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo unexpectedly said “Kyle Korver.”
However, that comparison is not necessarily because of shooting ability but more the similar playing style while on the court. Antetokounmpo noted how well Allen moves without the ball and finds the perfect spots to wait for kick-outs, a skill he can accredit to his high basketball IQ.
The chemistry that Giannis and Grayson are building is great to see and seems to have benefitted the NBA Blue Devil.
The player he draws comparisons to, former 17-year NBA veteran Kyle Korver, recently appeared on the podcast of Duke basketball legend JJ Redick. He said it is “essential” to have a great relationship with the star player to carve out a long NBA career.
That is something Allen is now doing, putting himself on pace for a pro career that could be as long as Korver’s when said and done.
Grayson Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Milwaukee Bucks (6-8) will be back in action at 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday when they host the Los Angeles Lakers (8-7).