Dontaie Allen talks his love for basketball, excitement for playing at Kentucky

Dontaie Allen will be the first in-state basketball star to play at Kentucky since Dominique Hawkins and Derek Willis. Big Blue Nation is already prepared to love him, and every time he opens his mouth he says things that will only make fans love him more.

In a recent interview with PrepCircuit.com, the star from Pendleton County discussed what led him to become a top 100 recruit and what still drives him today.

It was not long before Kentucky came knocking at the door. Once John Calipari offered him a scholarship to play for the Wildcats, there was no doubt where Allen wanted to play college basketball.

“I think it’s great being from Kentucky and going to the University of Kentucky because there are always fans around me. There’s some added pressure with it because I am an in-state kid, but I feel their support all the time. It’s an amazing experience being from here and continuing on to go to a university like that.”

Most high school basketball players from Kentucky feel that way, but very few have the talent to play at Rupp Arena on a regular basis. What has set Allen apart from other in-state guys that set their sights on Lexington?

“It took a lot of time and effort to get to this point in my career. I had to sacrifice doing fun things like going to the movies with friends and much more. I usually wake up around 5:30, go to the gym around 6:00 and stay there until school starts. If we don’t have practice after school I stay for one and a half hours in the gym. If we do have practice I stay after as well so I just make sure to get in the gym whenever I can.”

Allen is obviously a gym rat, and it feels like he would fit right in with this year’s team. But he has a few other things to accomplish before rocking Kentucky blue.

If he is able to lead his high school team to the state’s Sweet 16 tournament, maybe he will be playing in Rupp Arena a little early after all.

Be sure to check out the full interview here.