June 27, 2012

MILWAUKEE - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's basketball standout Ryan Allen has been busy over the last few weeks showing off his abilities to NBA teams.

Allen, a member of the Horizon League's All-Defensive Team this season and the brother of current NBA player Tony Allen, worked out twice for the Milwaukee Bucks this week and also worked out for the Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies.

While Allen is not likely to be picked in Thursday's NBA draft, the 6-foot-4 guard is focused on getting a roster spot from an NBA team over the summer and improving his overall game.

"I'm really not thinking too much about Thursday," Allen said after his Monday workout with the Bucks. "I'm really just trying to get a feel for what I need to do and work on, to get better and improve. It's a learning experience for me."

Allen played in 66 games over two seasons in Milwaukee after playing two years in junior college. He started all 34 games this past season, setting a new single-season record for blocks (40). He also averaged 8.6 points per game.

"He did a tremendous job defensively for us today," Bucks director of scouting Billy McKinney said Monday. "He's had three NBA workouts and if he is going to make it in the NBA, it is certainly going to be as a defensive specialist."

Indeed, defense is where Allen has built his reputation.

"Defense comes as second nature to me and I think I can compete at the highest level," Allen said. "But offensively there are some things I need to work on."

Allen's brother, Tony, currently plays for the Memphis Grizzlies. That club knew it needed to take a closer look.

"We don't want to miss another Tony Allen," Memphis Director of Player Personnel Tony Barone said. "I think you have to be very careful when you have a pedigree like he has. His effort is outstanding. He's a very good defender. He's going to have to pick up his offensive game to make it in this league, but it's not going to be a straight line for him."