Ronald Allen

10/28/05: Moved to inactive since he is no longer a 'recruit'.

09/22/05: Andy Kennedy put Ronald Allen through his first workout Wednesday and left quite impressed. "It's almost too good to be true," the Cincinnati interim coach said of the Xavier University (an NAIA school in New Orleans) forward. "He says he's 6-10, but he's probably 6-9. He shoots the ball very well. He's athletic and can run."

Allen had cleared his physical earlier Wednesday after arriving on campus for the first day of classes. He's on scholarship, in class and is academically cleared to practice. The only issue is whether he'll be allowed to play in games.

NCAA president Myles Brand made it clear that he didn't want schools poaching players off Gulf Coast-area teams. He was doing that in response to pleas from Tulane and the University of New Orleans, which wanted to see their teams compete without interruption as they attempt to rebuild their programs.

The major difference with Allen, though, is Xavier isn't competing this semester. School isn't in session, either. "What Myles Brand did was understandable," Kennedy said. "We're in unfamiliar territory. This kid's situation is special. The school isn't playing. Tulane and UNO went to new schools, are in college, and life is going on for them. This kid had nothing."

Allen actually got word that Cincinnati had an opening on the Internet. "He saw on ESPN.com that we had an opening when (JC signee) Ivan Johnson left (to go to Oregon)," Kennedy said. "This originated from him. And to top it off, his girlfriend, who he evacuated with to Shreveport (La.), is going to attend nursing school in Ohio. Her family, through the Red Cross, is in Ohio."

Allen received his full release from Xavier and would have two seasons of eligibility remaining. He hopes it will be for this season and next. Kennedy said Cincinnati would launch an appeal on Allen's behalf to get him eligible for games immediately. "The NCAA is about doing what's right for student athletes and this would be in his best interest," Kennedy said of allowing Allen to compete in games. Allen's arrival gives Cincinnati 11 players on scholarship, after Kennedy said everyone who was supposed to showed up for the first day of school. Cincinnati is one of the last universities in the country to begin its classes.

If Allen can be a player, he fills a needed experience void on the frontline with the departure of Jason Maxiell and Johnson. Allen averaged 4.9 points and 2.4 rebounds last season. - ESPN.com


09/22/05:
Great article in the Cincinnati Post today.

09/21/05: "Ronald Allen, a 6-10 center at Xavier University in New Orleans who was forced to evacuate due to Hurricane Katrina, has enrolled at the University of Cincinnati and began classes Wednesday morning.

UC will make an appeal for Allen to be immediately eligible to compete for the Bearcats due to the extenuating circumstances, director of athletics Bob Goin stated. "We think that there are circumstances which favor Ronald in this matter," Goin said. "Xavier is an NAIA school. The school did not attempt to relocate its athletic teams when it closed. He was forced to evacuate the storm-damaged area and find other housing on his own. The athletic director at Xavier has granted him a full release."

Allen identified Cincinnati as an opportunity to continue his education and basketball career when he was made homeless by the effects of Katrina. He had learned through the internet that recruit Ivan Johnson was not coming to UC, creating an available scholarship, and he made the initial contact with UC.

Allen, originally from Los Angeles, will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. After recovering from an early-sason injury, Allen saw action in 19 games as a backup center at Xavier last season, averaging 4.9 points and 2.4 rebounds. He spent the 2003-04 season at Los Angeles City College. - UCBearcats.com

Allen averaged 5 ppg, 2.4 rpg and had four blocks last year. He had three games in which he scored more than 10 points.

Xavier Univ of Louisiana is a Division 1 NAIA school located in New Orleans, LA.

11/06/04: "Strong bench play by newcomers Alfred Williams and Ronald Allen, and senior Jonathan Harper helped Xavier go up by 30 points with just under five minutes left in the game." - GCA Conference

10/31/04: "Joining the (Xavier LA.) team Coach Dannton Jackson calls 'very experienced' are transfers Alfred Williams and Ronald Allen." - NOLA.com

Signed with Cal State Fullerton as a frosh but encountered Prop 48 issues.

Sept 2001 - Played in the Top 20 All Star Game in California.

08/22/01: Named to the "Top 30" game.

Spring 2001 - Attended Lakewood (CA) Artesia HS.