Adam Allen has no problem admitting he's country.
Raised in the humble surroundings of Milton, Fla., the freshman forward spent his childhood nurturing his love for basketball amid the presence of cows and hard work.
With a farm as his home environment, Allen grew up learning lessons through strenuous chores. He cites 'work ethic? as his most avid feature, a value he picked up from days of working in the field.
BOn the weekend you would have hay to do or things around the barn, build stuff with your hands and stuff like that,C Allen said. BWhen you work out in the tough sun and you have to concentrate to do something, it makes working hard that much easier. When I get into a gym, I?m just happy to be playing basketball, and I have no problem working hard at it.C
Allen, one of five scholarship freshmen on the roster, hopes to bring his tough personality and style of play to the Gators in the upcoming season.
UF coach Billy Donovan said the 6-foot-8, 206-pounder may make an immediate impact.
BAdam is a hard-nose, competitive, tough kid,C Donovan said. BHe has great energy, great effort, he?s physical, tough, and just gives his all. … I don?t think that there?s any question with his energy and his toughness that he?s going to play.C
Just how much Allen will get to play has yet to be determined. On a team filled with question marks, positions on the court are still up for grabs.
BThe biggest thing for him, because of our team, is that he may get caught playing a couple of positions for us, and I always get concerned with young guys, because that?s when thinking becomes involved,C Donovan said.
If Allen?s high school experience is any indication, the former Milton High player should have no problem adjusting to any role.
As a senior, he averaged 24.7 points, 12.2 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per contest en route to becoming the runner-up of Florida?s Mr. Basketball, finishing only behind current teammate Nick Calathes.
However, Allen?s versatile talents are not only limited to the hardwood. The freshman said he plans to be a pitcher for UF?s baseball team, and he claims to throw a fastball in the high 80s to lower 90s.
Allen said splitting time between the two sports will not be an issue.
BDuring the season, I?m going to keep my arm in shape and throw,C he said. BBut being a pitcher, you don?t have the same responsibilities that a normal position player would. So it will be possible. I mean, people have done it in the past.C
Allen has had a lot to adjust to since arriving in Gainesville. Aside from the rap music his teammates enjoy playing during practice, Allen has had to listen to the jokes and sarcasm pointed in his direction.
BWhenever I say something, someone will say: 'Don?t listen to him. He?s country,?C he said. BBut I don?t listen to them - they know I know what I?m doing out there.C
