:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68971013/usa_today_15233956.0.jpg)
“Stay with us,” Dontaie Allen pleaded following the Kentucky Wildcats’ first-round exit in the SEC Tournament.
After asking the Big Blue Nation to stay with his team, Allen will officially be staying with the Wildcats for another year.
According to Falmouth Outlook, Allen will return for the 2021-22 season. His mother, April Allen-Thomas, also confirmed the news.
“He is definitely returning! His plan is to come home and work harder than ever before and return to UK for his sophomore season, and I fully support his decision,” she said.
The redshirt freshman will allow Kentucky to sustain shooting ability and wing scoring, with goals this offseason to better his game all around.
Dontaie Allen’s 2020-2021 Stats
- 5.4 points per game
- 1.5 rebounds per game
- 14.0 minutes per game
- Four double-digit scoring games, including two of 23.
- 39.7 three-point field goal percentage
Allen finished off his first full season in style, tying his season high of 23 points in a close loss to Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament. While he only had four games of double-digit scoring, he did flash his ability to score points in bunches, and that’s certainly an asset Kentucky can take advantage of next season.
We’ve seen players such as Willie Cauley-Stein, Tyler Ulis, Nick Richards and PJ Washington all return for a second or third year and show massive improvement. While Allen may not make that big of a jump, we should expect him to be a much bigger piece of the rotation next season, especially if he can improve his ball-handling skills and defense.
What are your early expectations for Allen’s sophomore season? How will he grow in the program? What will his stat line look at the end of next season?
Follow our Twitter page and then go ‘like’ our Facebook page for the latest Kentucky Wildcats news and views.