Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

high school basketball:

Centennial’s Marcus Allen named Nevada’s Gatorade Player of the Year

The 6-foot-4 senior guard scored nearly 30 points per game; will play next year at Stanford

State Championship - Gorman vs. Centennial

Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

Centennial’s Marcus Allen drives to the basket past Bishop Gorman’s Stephen Zimmerman during their Division I state championship game Friday, Feb. 22, 2013 at the Orleans. Gorman won 69-43.

Marcus Allen was named the Nevada’s Gatorade Player of the Year for basketball Thursday, but if you talk with the 6-foot-4 Centennial High senior guard, he’ll tell you something different.

With Allen and twin brother, Malcolm Allen, leading the way, Centennial had the best season in school history in advancing to the state championship game. While they lost to Bishop Gorman, the season is still considered a success.

That’s why Allen considers Thursday’s announcement a team achievement.

“This award is for Malcolm, too,” he said. “This really ties up our career. We worked hard, with all of our teammates and coach Allen (Todd, no relation). You have to give those guys credit, too. They were as big part of it.”

Marcus Allen’s team-first mentality is a big reason why Centennial had so much success this winter in its record setting season. In good times and bad the past four seasons, the Allen twins were team players.

“We were very lucky to be part of his high school career,” coach Allen said. “That is a great family. Great parents. They made it easy on us. They made it easy to come to work everyday.

“Marcus made everyone better. All of the kids looked up to him,” coach Allen added. “We are just blessed to be part of his high school career.”

The Allens, who will play at Stanford next year, dominated virtually every night this winter in helping Centennial win more than 20 games for third straight season. They lost four times to Gorman, but in three of the defeats had fourth-quarter leads.

Marcus Allen averaged a state-best 28.2 points per game and was the best player on the floor every night, including against Gorman’s heavily recruited lineup. He’s the nation’s No. 136 overall recruiting prospect by Rivals.com, also recording 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

“This is a good way to leave high school and move on to the next level,” Marcus Allen said.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.

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