Jarrett Allen

All-Star and elite rim protector for the Cavaliers.

via Wikipedia: Jarrett Allen · see source

Jarrett Allen (born April 21, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns and was selected 22nd overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2017 NBA draft. In January 2021, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a four-team blockbuster James Harden trade. In February 2022, Allen was named to his first NBA All-Star Game.

Quick Facts

Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: Center
League: NBA
Born: 21 April 1998
Birthplace: San Diego, California, U.S.
High school: Round Rock (Round Rock, Texas); St. Stephen's Episcopal School (Austin, Texas)
College: Texas (2016–2017)
Draft round: 1

Lore & Background

Allen was born in San Diego, California. He attended Walsh Middle School in Round Rock, Texas, which feeds into Round Rock High School, for his freshman year of high school. He then transferred to St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Austin, Texas for his final three years and won two SPC championships. He played in the 2016 McDonald's All-American Boys Game.

He committed to the University of Texas at Austin. Allen was rated as a five-star recruit and ranked No. 15 overall player in the Class of 2016. As a freshman at Texas, he averaged 13.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He entered the 2017 NBA draft and decided to forgo his remaining three years of college eligibility.

He was selected 22nd overall by the Brooklyn Nets and signed his rookie scale deal on July 20. He was 19 years and 182 days old when he made his NBA debut on October 20, becoming the second-youngest player ever to play for the Nets, behind Derrick Favors. On January 14, 2021, Allen was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a four-team deal that sent James Harden to the Nets. He signed a five-year, $100 million contract with Cleveland on August 6, 2021. On July 31, 2024, Allen and the Cavaliers agreed to a three-year, $91 million contract extension.

Reader's Guide

Allen is a center known for his high efficiency. He has the highest offensive rating (130.1) of any player in NBA history (minimum 15,000 minutes played). He was named an NBA All-Star in 2022. In the 2021–22 season, he averaged career highs of 16.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game, shooting 67.7% from the field. He started all 82 games in the 2024–25 season, averaging 13.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.