Prospect spotlight: Marvel Allen (2023)
Team Breakdown 2023 guard Marvel Allen is wise beyond his years. The talented eighth-grader, who had a breakout season playing varsity ball at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach County in 2018-19, displays the poise and attitude of an upperclassman…
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Continue ReadingTeam Breakdown 2023 guard Marvel Allen is wise beyond his years.
The talented eighth-grader, who had a breakout season playing varsity ball at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach County in 2018-19, displays the poise and attitude of an upperclassman at a young age.
Just listen to what the 6-foot-3 playmaker had to say when discussing what he hopes to work on while playing on the travel circuit this spring and summer.
“People say I’m good but I don’t think so,” Allen said Sunday from the 2019 E1T1 Invitational in Tavares. “I didn’t make it yet. I still have a lot to work on.”
Allen helped lead Benjamin to a 13-11 season. He scored 30 points against Palm Beach Lakes and dropped in 26 vs. Miami Schoolhouse Prep. Three of the Bucs’ 11 losses were to three-time defending Class 4A state champion Westminster Academy. Allen and Benjamin eventually would be ousted by Sagemont, 69-66, in the 4A regional semifinals.
This travel season, Allen is looking to continue to work on his game and make a name for himself on the national stage. He has excellent size, can drill the 3, is aggressive driving to the basket and drains his free throws.
“I continue to work in the gym,” he said. “I work on my ball-handling skills. I work a lot on coming off pick-and-rolls, because I’m trying to learn to be a big guard.
“My goal is to eventually play up, like, on the 17-U in front of college coaches and get looked at. Get offered by 9th grade.”
Allen played on Team Breakdown’s 2023 squad that went 3-1 and made the championship game at the E1T1 Invite. He poured in 24 points in a 60-52 semifinal victory over the Miami Warriors before Breakdown fell in the finals, 71-60, to the Orlando-based E1T1 Rebels.
“Like we always say, ‘We never lose, we always learn’ ” Allen said. “We just have to get back in the gym each and every day and work hard. And next time when we meet [the Rebels], handle business.”
Allen also played up with the (ninth-graders) 2022s in Tavares. The Breakdown 2022s went 2-0, including a victory over a talented AOT squad from Atlanta. Team Breakdown plays on the Under Armour Association circuit.
If you have high school basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via text at 954-661-9671.