Timmy Allen commits to Texas; Marcus Williams enters transfer portal

The Kentucky Wildcats have been winners of the transfer portal thus far, but the Texas Longhorns are starting to make some major waves of their own.

Just hours after former Kentucky guard Devin Askew committed to Texas, the Longhorns landed a commitment from Utah wing Timmy Allen, he announced on Instagram.

This past season as a junior, Allen averaged 17.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game, including eight 20+ point performances. He was named First-Team All-PAC-12.

Back in the 2019-20 season, Allen dropped 25 points, nine boards and four assists vs. Kentucky in a game the Utes won 69-66.

Allen was one of just three players to average at least 17 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in the country this season. The others were Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State) and Ayo Dosunmu (Illinois).

While Kentucky never publicly showed any interest, I have to think John Calipari at least did some research on Allen. He’s absolutely one of the best players to change teams this offseason and would have been a major get for any blue-blood program, though he’ll instead be playing at Texas under new head coach Chris Beard.

While the transfer portal is losing a big player in Allen, it quickly gained another instant-impact guard in Wyoming freshman Marcus Williams.

According to The Athletic reporter Sam Vecenie, Williams has entered the portal and immediately becomes one of the best point guards available.

The 6-2, 180-pound Williams was recently named a finalist for the Kyle Macy National Freshman of the Year by College Insider, awarded annually to the top freshman in Division I college basketball. He was also named Mountain West Freshman of the Year by both the coaches and media.

As a true freshman in the Mountain West, Williams averaged 14.8 points per game to rank eighth nationally among freshmen. He also chipped in 4.3 assists, 2.5 boards and 1.4 steals per game. He had five games of 20+ points and shot 45.2% from the field, including 33% from deep.

Will John Calipari and his staff show interest in Williams? If they’re kicking the tires on guys like Rocket Watts and Bryce Hamilton, there’s a good chance the answer will be yes on Williams, though it’s far too early to tell how strong of a look that will be.

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