Florida signee KeVaughn Allen of North Little Rock will request a release from the Gators and reopen his recruiting, according to his stepfather, John Curry, who called into the Bo Mattingly radio show Tuesday.
Allen, a 6-3, 170-pound guard, committed to Florida in April of last year and signed with the Gators on April 15 after also receiving scholarship offers from Arkansas, Memphis, Kansas, Connecticut, Baylor, Mississippi State and others.
Billy Donovan left Florida to become the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.
"It wasn't like he didn't like Arkansas," Curry told Mattingly. "It wasn't like Arkansas wasn't in his top three. But if you have a chance to be coached by Coach Donovan or [Arkansas] Coach [Mike] Anderson, you're going to go with that more experienced guy."
By NCAA rules, Florida will have to agree to release Allen before he can sign with another school.
But could Allen remain with Florida after a new coach is named?
"It's possible," Curry said.
ESPN rates Allen the No. 18 shooting guard and No. 54 overall prospect in the nation. He helped North Little Rock to a 79-8 record and three consecutive state titles.
He was selected as the Arkansas Democrat Gazette's Sophomore of the Year in 2013. As a junior, he was the All-Arkansas Preps Player of the Year after helping lead the Charging Wildcats to the Class 7A state title while averaging 21.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. As a senior, he averaged 25.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.1 steals as North Little Rock won another state title.
If granted a release, Curry said Allen will be interested in the Hogs.
"Arkansas has always been in his top three," Curry said.
Curry also said there is no truth that Allen didn't like Arkansas or that the Razorbacks didn't recruit him hard enough.
"That's all just a rumor," Curry said.
Sports on 05/06/2015