Ray Allen Turns 50
- Jake C
- Jul 20
- 12 min read
Cover photo: Ray Allen shoots as a member of the Boston Celtics. Photo credit: Icon Sports Media.
One of the all-time great shooters in the history of basketball and an NBA legend celebrates a milestone birthday on July 20 as Ray Allen turns 50 years old.
Allen was born at Castle Air Force base, near Merced, Calif., in 1975. His father, Walter Ray Allen Sr., was a Master Sergeant. Because of his father’s military duties, Allen spent portions of his childhood growing up in England and Oklahoma as well as California.
At the age of 15, Allen led his high school’s varsity team, the Hillcrest Wildcats (Dalzell, S.C.) to their first state championship. In the state final, Allen scored 25 points and had 12 rebounds. He was South Carolina Mr. Basketball in 1993.
In three years at the University of Connecticut playing for the legendary Jim Calhoun, Allen averaged 19.0 points and 6.0 rebounds on 48.7% from the field and 44.8% from 3-point range. As a senior, he averaged 23.4 points per game (47.2% from the field) and led the nation in 3-point percentage (46.6%). Allen was named Big East Player of the Year while dueling with Big East stars Allen Iverson of Georgetown and John Wallace of Syracuse. The Huskies met the Hoyas in the Big East Final, in what is considered one the best duels in NCAA history.
With the Huskies down 74-73, Allen received the ball on the left wing and made a move toward the middle of the floor with the shot clock under 10 seconds and game clock under 18 seconds. Bumped at the right elbow by Iverson, Allen rose and shot a shot in mid-air as his body twisted. The shot hit the front side of the rim and then the back of the rim before bouncing in. Iverson hurried up the floor with 13.5 seconds remaining, and released a shot from the free-throw line that hit the side of the rim. Jerome Williams grabbed a one-handed rebound, but his put-back attempt missed. The Huskies’ Allen in the win finished with 17 points on 5-of-20 shooting, while the Hoyas’ Allen finished with 13 points on 4-of-15 shooting.
Twice in his college career, Allen was All-Big East and All-Big East tournament. In 1995, he was the USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year, while in 1996, he was a consensus first-team All-American, the UPI Player of the Year, and the Big East Player of the Year.
In the 1996 NBA Draft, Iverson was selected with the top pick, heading to the Philadelphia 76ers. At No. 4, the Milwaukee Bucks drafted Georgia Tech’s Stephon Marbury. With the fifth pick, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Allen. The pair would be traded for one another as each selection was made for the other team.
The 1995-96 Bucks, coached by Mike Dunleavy Sr., went 25-57. Vin Baker and Glen Robinson were their two main options, Baker at power forward and Robinson at small forward.
Allen saw limited opportunities in his rookie season, 11.1 shots per game in 30.9 minutes. He averaged 13.4 points per game, and scored a season-high 32 points on 14-of-24 shooting on March 25, 1997 against the Phoenix Suns. Allen started 81 of 82 games as a rookie.
After Allen’s rookie year, Baker was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics in a three-team that brought forward Tyrone Hill and guard Terrell Brandon to Milwaukee. Enter more opportunities for Allen. In his second season, his minutes (40.1) and shots (16.0) skyrocketed. He made an average of 6.9 attempts per game, and shot 36.4% from 3-point range, averaging 4.5 attempts from deep per game. His season average jumped to 19.5 points. In Allen’s first two seasons, the Bucks won 33 and 36 games under Chris Ford.
George Karl, an eventual Hall of Fame head coach who in 1996 led the SuperSonics to 64 wins and a Finals’ appearance, became the Bucks’ head coach for the 1998-99 season, and he would remain in charge until the conclusion of the 2002-03 season. The Bucks went 28-22 in the lockout-shortened season of ‘98-‘99 and lost 3-0 in the first round to the Indiana Pacers. Allen averaged 17.1 points per game in 34.4 minutes per game, on 13.5 shot attempts (45.0%) and 35.6% from 3-point range. He played in all 50 games that season. In his first five seasons, he did not miss a game.
Ray Allen All-Star Seasons as a Milwaukee Buck
1999-00: 22.1 points 4.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 45.5% FG (17.2 FGA), 42.3% 3PT, 88.7% FT, 37.4 minutes, 82 games
2000-01: 22.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 48.0% FG (16.0 FGA), 43.3% 3PT, 88.8% FT, 38.2 minutes, 82 games, 3-Point Contest Winner, All-NBA 3rd team. On February 7, 2001, Allen registered the first triple-double of his career (20 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds) against the Boston Celtics. In the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals against Iverson and the 76ers, Allen, in the 7-game series loss, averaged 27.1 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.3 rebounds. He scored 31 points in Game 1, 38 points in Game 2, and 41 points in Game 6.
2001-02: 21.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 46.2% FG (16.6 FGA), 43.4% 3PT (3.3 makes per game led the NBA), 87.3% FT, 36.6 minutes, 69 games
In 47 games to begin the 2002-03 season (46 starts), Allen averaged 21.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on 43.7% shooting (39.5% from 3-point range), and 91.3% from the line. At the trade deadline, the Bucks traded Allen, Ronald “Flip” Murray, and Kevin Ollie to the SuperSonics in exchange for Gary Payton and Desmond Mason. Allen went from George Karl to another high quality coach in Nate McMillan, who was a former Sonic guard. The ‘03 Bucks won 42 games and made the playoffs. The ‘03 Sonics won 40 games and missed the playoffs. Allen averaged 24.5 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.6 rebounds on 44.1% shooting (19.3 shots), 35.1% from long distance and 92% from the free-throw line in 41.3 minutes in 29 games for the Sonics in 2003.
Allen along with Rashard Lewis - a 1998 2nd round pick of the Sonics - fast became the league’s most potent wing shooting duo. Allen made four all-star games as a Sonic, including a career-high 26.4 points per game on 37.2% from 3-point range in 2006-07, a season in which he also led the NBA in 3-point makes (3.0) and attempts (8.1) per game for the second year in a row. Sonic highlights for Allen included a 45-point effort (17-of-28 FG, 6-of-14 3PT) in a 115-102 win against the Sacramento Kings in Game 4 of the ‘05 1st round. The Sonics won 52 games that season and won that series in five games. Ironically, on the same date (January 22, 2006) as Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors, the Sonics and Phoenix Suns dueled in a double-overtime deluxe. Allen scored 42 points in the game (14-of-28 FG, 8-of-16 3PT) and nailed the game-clinching triple from straight away with just over four seconds remaining, crossing over on Steve Nash and pulling back before rising. The Sonics won the game 152-149.
On January 12, 2007, Allen scored a career-high 54 points in a 122-114 Sonics’ win over the Utah Jazz. Allen shot 17-of-32 from the field, 8-of-12 from 3-point range, and 12-of-12 from the line. He also registered 10 rebounds and 5 assists. “Ray Allen is in another time. He’s in another space. He’s in an absolute stone cold zone,” said Sonics’ play-by-play announcer Kevin Calabro during the game.
Ray Allen All-Star Seasons as a Seattle SuperSonic
2003-04: 23.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 44.0% FG (18.2 FGA), 39.2% 3PT, 90.4% FT, 38.4 minutes, 56 games
2004-05: 23.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 42.8% FG (19.2 FGA), 37.6% 3PT, 88.3% FT, 39.3 minutes, 78 games, All-NBA 2nd team
2005-06: 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 45.4% FG (19.2 FGA), 41.2% 3PT, 90.3% FT, 38.7 minutes, 78 games. Led the NBA in 3-point makes (3.4) and attempts (8.4).
2006-07: 26.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 43.8% FG (21.0 FGA), 37.2% 3PT, 90.3% FT, 40.3 minutes, 55 games. Led the NBA in 3-point makes (3.0) and attempts (8.1).
On the night of the 2007 NBA Draft, the Sonics traded Allen and the 35th overall pick (Glen Davis from Louisiana State) to the Boston Celtics for Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, and the fifth overall pick (Georgetown’s Jeff Green). A little over one month later, on July 31, 2007, the Celtics acquired Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Allen, Garnett, and Paul Pierce were about to usher in a new era of Celtic basketball, a winning era that the Celtic fans had not seen in 20 years.
Allen wasted little time making an impact on the Cs.
On November 4, 2007 in Toronto, Allen hit a game-winning corner triple against the Raptors. In the 98-95 Celtics’ win, Allen scored a game-high 33 points on 11-of-16 from the field and 7-of-11 from distance. I was at that game. Twenty days later against the Charlotte Bobcats in Charlotte, Allen hit a game-winning 3-pointer again, this time from the left wing. After the make, he ran down jumped into the arms of Davis in jubilation.
The ‘08 Celtics won 66 games and had the NBA’s top defense. In 73 games and 35.9 minutes per game, Allen averaged 17.4 points, shooting 44.5% from the field, 39.8% from distance and 90.7% from the line. In Game 2 of the Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, Allen scored 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting in 29 minutes. He scored 29 points in Game 5 (39 minutes, 5-of-6 from 3-point range) and in Game 3 of the Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers he scored 25 points in 41 minutes on 5-of-7 from deep. It was Allen’s scoop layup late in Game 4 that helped seal the largest comeback in NBA Finals’ history when the Celtics won on the road in LA, 97-91. Allen scored 19 points in the game on 6-of-11 shooting and had 9 rebounds. He played all 48 minutes. In the clinching Game 6, he scored 26 points on 8-of-12 from the field and 7-of-9 from downtown. He averaged 20.3 points on 50.7% from the field and 52.4% from deep in the 2008 Finals.
Allen’s transformation from go-to guy in Milwaukee and Seattle to the third option in Boston was impressive and selfless. He developed a seamless rapport with point guard Rajon Rondo - Rondo finding Allen consistently in his shooting pocket after Allen had worked off a screen from Garnett or Davis or Kendrick Perkins. It was beautiful to watch. When vintage Allen was needed, like during the course of the 2008-09 season, he reminded everyone who he was.
Ray Allen All-Star Seasons as a Boston Celtic
2007-08: 17.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 44.5% FG (13.5 FGA), 39.8% 3PT, 90.7% FT, 35.9 minutes, 73 games
2008-09: 18.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 48.0% FG (13.2 FGA), 40.9% 3PT, 95.2% FT, 36.4 minutes, 79 games
2010-11: 16.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 49.1% FG (12.2 FGA), 44.4% 3PT, 88.1% FT, 36.1 minutes, 80 games
In 2008-09, the Celtics were rolling and were primed for a repeat before Garnett hurt his leg on February 19 against the Jazz in Utah. The Celtics were sporting a 44-11 record going into the game, a game that they lost 90-85. To that point in the season, the Cs had gone on winning streaks of 19 games and 12 games.
With Garnett lost, the team still won 62 games. Allen averaged 18.2 points on 48.0%, 40.9% from 3-point range, and 95.2% from the line in 79 games. In the new year, he scored 30 or more points in four times. On April 30, 2009, in Game 6 of the Celtics’ first round series against the Chicago Bulls, Allen played 58 minutes in the triple overtime game and poured in 51 points on 18-of-32 from the field and 9-of-18 from the 3-point line. It was vintage Allen, a necessary and clutch performance without Garnett.
A fading long two over the Bulls’ Joakim Noah got the Celtics within one, 116-115, in double overtime, and Allen’s trifecta going left while guarded tightly by Kirk Hinrich tied the game at 118 with 7.6 seconds on the clock. The performance was one of the best of Allen’s career and his best as a Celtic. He scored 30 points (6-of-10 from distance) in Game 2 of that series and 28 points (5-of-11 from distance) in Game 4. The series was one of the best playoff series’ in history. A young Bulls’ team against an experienced Celtics’ team. Games one, four, five and six went into overtime.
Though the Cs lost in seven games to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the team made the Finals the next season.
In 2009-10, the Celtics won 50 games but were a team built for playoffs, and they made a title run. Allen played 80 games and 35.2 minutes per game, and averaged 16.3 points per game on 47.7% from the field, 36.3% from distance, and 91.3% from the free-throw line. In Game 2 of the 2010 Finals against the Lakers once again, Allen made history.
The Celtics won the game 103-94 to tie the series at one, and it was Allen who led the Cs in scoring in the game with 32. He set a new Finals’ record for triples made with eight (attempting 11) and shot 11-of-20 from the field. He averaged 14.6 points in that Finals.
In 2011, the Celtics lost in five games in the first round to the Miami Heat, who had just signed LeBron James and Chris Bosh the summer prior. In 2012, both teams met in the Eastern Conference Finals, and though the Celtics had a 3-2 series lead, they lost the series in seven games.
The front office drafted Avery Bradley, a defensive ace out of the University of Texas, in 2011. With Bradley’s selection, Allen’s role going forward came into question. He averaged 34 minutes per game in 2011-12, and a career low 10.7 shot attempts.
On July 11, 2012, Allen and his former Sonic teammate Lewis signed with the Heat. It was with the Heat that Allen would create the most memorable moment of his career.
In Game 6 of the 2013 Finals, the Heat, down 3-2 in the series, were hosting the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs led 75-65 going into the fourth quarter of Game 6, and with under 30 seconds remaining had a 94-89 lead.
With 20 seconds remaining, James hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to two, 94-92. Kawhi Leonard made one of two free-throws, and the score was 95-92 with 19 seconds left.
Out of the Heat timeout, James missed a triple from straight away. Bosh grabbed the rebound. Allen alertly retreated to the right corner, and received a pass from Bosh while at the same time stepping behind the line, understanding where his body was. Allen caught the pass from Bosh and elevated for the shot.
“Rebound Bosh. Back out to Allen. His 3-pointer..BANG!”
Mike Breen’s call will endure forever. An iconic shot and an iconic call. A play that swung all momentum. The Heat prevailed 103-100 in overtime and won Game 7 by a 95-88 score.
Allen played 79 games in 2012-13 at age 37, and averaged 10.9 points in 25.8 minutes per game. In his final season of 2013-14, he started nine of 73 games, and averaged 9.6 points in 26.5 minutes.
In eighteen seasons, Allen started 1,149 out of 1,300 games played. 18.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists were his career averages, on 45.2% from the field, 40% from 3-point range, and 89.4% from the free-throw line. He averaged 19.6 points per game as a Buck, 24.6 as a Sonic, 16.7 as a Celtic, and 10.3 as a member of the Heat.
Allen’s most prolific days were in Seattle. Despite just one winning season there (2004-05, 52 wins), Allen showcased his whole repertoire as a go-to scorer and number one option. Milwaukee Ray Allen had the low cut, not shy of dunking on guys and taking the ball to the basket. Seattle Ray Allen was a bit more reserved. Boston Ray Allen settled perfectly into his role, making history alongside two other Hall of Famers from his era. Miami Ray Allen knew the end was near, and knew what his role was there, too - to be an example for James, Bosh, and Dwyane Wade, teach them old tricks on how to work, and be there when they needed him.
Allen finished his career with 2,973 made 3-pointers, the most in NBA history. On February 10, 2011 in a home game against the Lakers, Allen broke Reggie Miller’s all-time 3-point record (2,560). A fist bump from Kobe Bryant was an ultimate show of respect.
On December 14, 2021, the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry broke Allen’s record. On November 17, 2024, the Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden passed Allen to move into second place.
Allen made 10 all-star teams in his 18 seasons and in 2005 was All-NBA 2nd team, was All-NBA 3rd team in 2001, and 2nd team All-Rookie in 1997.
He had one of the nicest jump shots ever shot. Perfect elevation and a picturesque release. “This ball needs to be a part of my body when I shoot it,” said Allen in one of his workout clips. He was notorious for getting to the arena three hours before tip-off to get shots up. He would always shoot “game shots” while warming up. Purposeful reps. As a word of advice to young hoopers, he made a point to get to the free-throw line if his jumper was off so that he could regain his shooting rhythm. Summing up his own game in a few quick words to a Sonic teammate before a game, Allen said “I’m a sniper. I’m a sniper. I just sit in the bushes waiting to light you up.” True words.
I watched many Sonic games on KOMO 4 when Allen played for the Sonics, and too many to recall when he suited up for the Celtics. The Bucks’ teams of he and Robinson, Sam Cassell, and center Ervin Johnson were fun, too. It was a joy to watch Ray Allen play basketball. An expert in off-the-ball movement and balance. A true master of his craft.
In 2018, Allen was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Allen’s portrayal of high school superstar Jesus Shuttlesworth in Spike Lee’s 1998 basketball film He Got Game, one of the best basketball movies ever made, forever keeps Allen a prominent figure in popular culture. Lee, Denzel Washington, and Allen mixed in with Coney Island was bound to deliver a classic. Former NBA forward Walter McCarty and guard Travis Best play Allen’s high school teammates in the film. The former Syracuse star Wallace and Allen’s former Buck teammate Baker also appear during a memorable pick-up game scene. Former forward Rick Fox also has a role in the film.
Legacy is a word thrown around a lot in sports. Most times, its use is overstated, nonsensical, and/or premature. Ray Allen has a legacy. It’s quite simple.
One of the best shooters to ever touch a basketball.
Happy 50th birthday, Ray Allen.
Comments