Before he became a NBA legend, famed shooting guard Ray Allen began his high profile basketball career at the University of Connecticut. On Sunday afternoon, it all came full circle for the seasoned sharpshooter as the Huskies notably retired his No. 34 jersey at halftime of the school's matchup against the South Florida Bulls.
Adding to the intrigue of the day, UConn managed to win the American Athletic Conference affair by the score of 60-58.
“Truly it is the honor of my life to have come to the state of Connecticut back in 1993 with no direction whatsoever, but knowing what great fans, what a great basketball state this was,” Allen told the crowd. “And 30 years later to be able to stand here in front of you and just see some of the old faces and so many new, I just have to thank Coach Calhoun, Coach [Howie] Dickenman, Coach [Dave] Leitao, Coach [Karl] Hobbs and Coach [Tom] Moore for believing in me. Because at 18 years old, I don't know who I am. Most of us don't know who we are. But they saw something in me.”
3⃣4⃣ immortalized.#HuskiesForever pic.twitter.com/iCz25svzmg
— UConn Huskies (@UConnHuskies) March 3, 2019
The 43-year-old Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer in Allen spent three seasons at UConn from 1993 to 1996.
“Everything that I've received because of this game of basketball was as a UConn Husky,” Allen added.
The prototype of UConn Basketball, Ray Allen is our first ever Husky to have his number retired.
Thank you, Ray!#ThisIsUConn | #HuskiesForever pic.twitter.com/IwPfnywAS4
— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) March 3, 2019
Not only has Allen become one of the most memorable shooters in NBA history but he is now part of UConn basketball elite as well. As a result of Sunday's ceremony in Connecticut, Allen joined former UConn women's basketball player Rebecca Lobo en route to becoming the only two players in school history to have their numbers retired and lifted into the rafters.
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