:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62664990/dontaie_allen.0.jpg)
Many Kentucky fans are not too happy about the state of the Kentucky Wildcats 2019 recruiting class.
The Cats lost the James Wiseman sweepstakes to Memphis, did not make Duke commit Vernon Carey’s final list, and appear to be on the outside looking in on Anthony Edwards’ recruitment.
Despite all this, Kentucky still has the No. 7 class for 2019 and the best in the SEC according to 247 Sports.
One member of the 2019 recruiting class that has Kentucky fans extremely excited is four-star forward Dontaie Allen.
The signee is a Kentucky native as he resides in Falmouth and plays for Pendleton County High School. Allen is ranked as the No. 2 recruit from the state and 74th best in the nation according to 247 Sports composite rankings.
Allen has been putting up monster numbers in his senior season as he has been scoring at an absurd rate.
Pendleton County senior and University of Kentucky basketball signee Dontaie Allen had 45 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Augusta on Monday. He’s now averaging 42 points and 15.4 rebounds per game as the Wildcats are off to a 5-2 start. pic.twitter.com/TchRrB1mKc
— Jared MacDonald (@JMacDonaldSport) December 11, 2018
Alex Morgan of Prep Sports Kentucky is an expert on the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s 10th region, which is where Allen’s Pendleton County team plays.
Morgan has covered several of Allen’s games and was able to report insight to A Sea of Blue regarding the Kentucky signee.
Morgan believes Allen has a “high ceiling,” but also believes there can be some severe growing pains when he comes to Lexington in 2019.
What Morgan likes most about Allen is his aggression. “He has a will to get to the rim,” Morgan stated, as he also described Allen as a “solid” rebounder.
Morgan also pointed out that Allen’s three-point accuracy has improved each season of his high school career, which is a good sign for the Wildcats, who haven’t always been great in this area under John Calipari.
The reason that Morgan sees growing pains coming for Allen is the level of competition he will have to face while at UK compared to what he is playing against in high school.
At 6-7, Allen won’t have the height advantage he has now.
“He comes from rural Kentucky, so he is usually the tallest player on the court,” Morgan said. “That will change when he starts playing Division I basketball.”
As for what he needs to improve upon most, Morgan added: “He will need to get faster to catch up with Division I talent and work on his ball-handling skills to fit into the UK offense.”
Morgan also stated it will be critical for Allen to get off to a fast start, and that should be reason for some concern.
The last two seasons, Kentucky’s freshman have gotten off to slow starts. Allen, who hasn’t played the same level of competition that some Kentucky freshman have in the past, may be at a disadvantage.
At 6-7, there is also a chance John Calipari moves Allen to a guard spot rather than keep him at forward.
Thus, it will be key for Allen to adapt quickly as he hopes to be a bluegrass star in 2019.
For more analysis on Allen and other Kentucky High School hoop prospects, be sure to follow Alex Morgan on Twitter as he reports live from high schools throughout the bluegrass.