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| Photo: Fansided |
Peter Solari Follow @4PeteSakeNY
Christopher Kline, of Fansided's The Sixers Sense, has released a list of "Five Summer League Sleepers That Could Make The Philadelphia 76ers" and guess who popped up at #2? None other than former George Mason Patriot Guard Bryon Allen.
Here's what Kline had to say about Allen:
"Like the aforementioned Paul, Allen has spent time overseas after a four year stay at the college level. Allen upped his production up to 15 points per contest during his senior season at George Mason, and is another well built shooting guard who could give the Sixers a boost in reserve.
Standing at 6-3 with a strong core, Allen could, in theory, man either the one or the two, but has a skill set that seems strongly geared towards playing on the wing rather than at the helm of the offense. He’s a solid 3-point shooter, hitting 39 percent of his shots from deep during his senior campaign with George Mason and solely improving upon that stroke as a primary option overseas. He won’t shoot much in isolation, but could certainly operate well off the ball as a kick out option to Simmons or one of the Sixers’ point guards.
Allen’s most effective offense comes when he’s attacking off the dribble. He utilizes his strength and explosiveness to work his way through the lane and finish around the basket with consistency that bodes well for his chances at the next level. When you look up the highlights of Allen playing, it’s consistent of two things- dunking and acrobatic finishes through contact. He’s extremely agile for somebody as bulky has he appears, and excels in terms of controlling his body after a foul.
Defensively, it’s tough to find a position for Allen but he seems to have the energy requisite of somebody who will find a way to be effective. He’s smaller than your typical shooting guard in today’s league and won’t be playing much point guard at the next level given the Sixers’ stress this offseason on compiling veteran help at the one and allowing Simmons to run the show. His strength should help him compete, though, and it’s likely to be far from a liability if Philly does take a flyer on the Italian League star.
Inconsistency will likely be a problem for Allen as well. His size disadvantage on the wing could cause some problems, and it seems probable that he will struggle to find his own shot off the dribble with the same proficiency that he has in Europe.
He’s another offensive spark off the bench who has the willpower and explosiveness to be well worth a flyer at the next level, and is somebody I’m sure Brett Brown and company are seriously considering."
The Sixers are a team in transition, with a couple of good young prospects, including last year's third overall pick Jahlil Okafor, and this year's top pick Ben Simmons, in the fold, but they aren't a group of established NBA stars. This could bode well for Allen's chances of making the team.
While he's still a long shot to be suiting up for the 76ers come opening night, Allen has played consistently well for their Summer League team, and people around the league, not just in Philly, have taken notice, I'm sure. Philadelphia's mostly inexperienced roster leaves Allen some room to sneak his way in, but even if he doesn't, don't be surprised to see him in the D-League this Fall, or perhaps even another NBA franchise will take a chance on him.
Regardless of what happens, Allen has represented himself well and made his alma mater proud.
Allen, the 6'3" native of Largo, Maryland, is vying to be the first former George Mason Patriot to play in the NBA since Jason Miskiri played three minutes in one appearance with the then-Charlotte Hornets (now New Orleans Pelicans) in 1999.
