ARKANSAS AT FLORIDA

Grown-up Gator: North Little Rock’s Allen maturing at rapid pace on court

Florida guard KeVaughn Allen (4) pulls down a rebound while Mississippi forward Sebastian Saiz (11) defends in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. Florida won 80-71. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida Coach Mike White figured KeVaughn Allen would be good for the Gators.

That's why when White was hired in May to replace Billy Donovan at Florida, he made persuading Allen to stick with the Gators and not seek a scholarship release a priority.

But White said he didn't expect Allen being this good this fast.

"KeVaughn's probably exceeded my expectations a little bit," White said. "As a true freshman, I wasn't anticipating him logging this many minutes.

"He's been better than I thought. He'll still have some freshman moments -- like all freshmen do throughout college basketball -- but he's had some terrific games for us, and he's going to continue to get better.

"He's going to have a tremendous career here at Florida. We're very, very fortunate to have him."

Allen, a 6-2 guard (North Little Rock) who is averaging 25.2 minutes, is on an offensive roll going into the Gators' game today against Arkansas at 6 p.m. in the O'Connell Center.

Over his past five games, Allen is averaging 18.4 points -- scoring 27 against Mississippi, 19 against Mississippi State and West Virginia, 16 against Vanderbilt and 11 against Auburn -- while shooting 58.3 percent from the field (28 of 48), 57.7 percent on three-point attempts (15 of 26) and 87.5 percent from the free-throw line (21 of 24).

The hot streak raised Allen's season scoring average to 11.9 points. He's averaging 14.6 points in SEC games.

"Every day that goes by, I feel more confident and comfortable in my game and my skills and just knowing what to do," Allen said. "Earlier, I was maybe thinking instead of letting the game come to me.

"Instead of feeling like I'm rushing into every decision I make on the court, it just seems like things are much slower."

Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said he can see the progress made by Allen, who averaged 7.5 points in Florida's first 11 games.

"In the earlier part of the season, it was kind of hit and miss, but now I think he's starting to put it together," Anderson said. "All that is just getting acclimated to the college level. The speed, the quickness. Just finding what your niche is and what you can and can't do."

Allen was named SEC freshman of the week after averaging 17.5 points, 2.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals against Vanderbilt and West Virginia.

"He's not playing like a freshman lately," White said. "I think he's growing with confidence because it's becoming more and more consistent."

Florida senior forward Dorian Finney-Smith said Allen is constantly getting better.

"He's a gym rat, so when the ball goes in for him, we all know he put in the work," Finney-Smith said. "Hopefully, he just keeps getting better throughout the year and keeps playing consistently."

White, Louisiana Tech's coach the previous four seasons, didn't make Gainesville his first stop after getting the Florida job but instead drove from Ruston, La., to Little Rock to meet with Allen and his family.

"Mike knew immediately his No. 1 priority was to make sure that kid stayed on board," said Ole Miss Coach Andy Kennedy, who previously had White as one of his assistants. "He did a great job convincing him to do so."

Allen had signed with the Gators in April -- believing he'd play for Donovan -- and White wanted to assure him Florida was still the best place for him.

"Obviously, he was really important," White told reporters in Gainesville earlier this season. "We went into those meetings open-minded, doing our best to sell what we had accomplished and the style of play in which we had played at Louisiana Tech.

"We started to try and fast-track a relationship as much as possible."

Allen said "it was a hard time" when Donovan became coach of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder after 19 seasons at Florida, where he won two national championships.

"I had questions when he left," Allen said. "At that point, I really didn't know what to do."

Allen said he believed Florida was his best option after meeting with White.

"Coach White coming and talking to me and telling me that Gainesville was still a place I could come and fit in," Allen said of what convinced him. "He talked to me about how he liked to play, and I just thought this was where I should be."

Allen said he understands many fans back home are disappointed he didn't sign with Arkansas after he averaged 25.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists as a senior at North Little Rock High School and led the Charging Wildcats to their third consecutive Class 7A state championship.

"They really wanted me to go there a lot," he said. "They were upset that I didn't commit. But I just did what I thought was best for me, the best decision for me."

Allen said he's excited to play the Razorbacks, including sophomore guard Anton Beard, his teammate at North Little Rock.

"I just can't make it any bigger than what it is," he said. "It's just another game to prepare for. We're playing Arkansas, but I can't be out there playing for myself. I have to play for the team."

Allen scored a season-high 32 points against Florida State, then in the next game opened SEC play with 18 against Georgia.

"I remember watching him in high school, and I felt like he was going to be a terrific SEC player, and he has proven to be that," Georgia Coach Mark Fox said. "He obviously played very well against us, but I think he's kind of found his comfort zone.

"Mike's a done a really good job with him. I think he's going to have a dynamite career in the SEC."

Fox said Allen's physical tools allow him to create his own shot.

"A lot of guys as freshmen are trying to figure out where to get a shot, and he has the ability to get open looks and then when he gets them, to make you pay," Fox said.

Allen may be making a lot noise on the court, but he's known for being shy and quiet, even around his teammates.

"He's a man of few words, but he can put it in the goal," Finney-Smith told reporters after Allen's 27-point game at Ole Miss.

"He's as quiet a kid as I've ever coached," White said. "He speaks with action."

Sports on 02/03/2016