After sitting out the entire 2021-22 season, Quincy Allen is primed and ready to return to action following hip surgery that sidelined him the entire 2021-22 campaign. Allen has since been cleared to participate in spring drills which is a good sign for not only him, but Colorado moving forward.
Allen, a four-star recruit according to 24/7 Sports, was a part of a 2021 recruiting class that was ranked 13th overall nationally with the likes of Lawson Lovering (4-star), K.J. Simpson (4-star), Javon Ruffin (3-star) and Julian Hammond III (3-star). Two of five recruits played major roles for the team this past year as Simpson and Hammond III logged major minutes down the stretch. Unfortunately for Lovering, his season was cut short midway through after suffering a knee injury.
As for Allen, Colorado is going to need all of the production they can get out of him but understand it could take some time for him to get into a rhythm after missing basketball for nearly a year.
With the news of Jabari Walker being “all-in” to go the professional route, that leaves an open spot in the starting rotation up for grabs.
Colorado will also have 2022 recruits Joe Hurlburt and R.J. Smith coming in to fight for minutes.
Allen has been compared to the likes of Cameron Johnson of the Phoenix Suns and a projection of going in the first round of the NBA Draft. Here’s what Jerry Meyer, director of basketball scouting from 24/7 Sports said about him.
"Great length for a scoring wing. A smooth athlete with body control and a finesse game. Not a powerful, explosive athlete. Tremendous shooter, especially off the catch from deep. Can score off dribble in midrange. Adequate handler and does see the court as a passer. Holds his own on the boards. Defense needs improvement."
With Colorado’s top-two scorers from last season gone, Colorado will be looking for someone to step up and fill the void. Once Allen gets into the swing of things, I’m sure they’ll be relying on Quincy and Simpson to pick up the majority of the scoring.
Colorado will feature another young team but it’ll take a balanced effort from everyone to make it a successful 2022-23 season.
The Buffs saw a lot of young players such as Nique Clifford, Tristan da Silva, Simpson and Hammond III play valuable minutes last season and that will only benefit them moving forward. Colorado also added Princeton transfer Ethan Wright who can provide some scoring and help from three.
Colorado will have lost four players from their NCAA Tournament team just two years removed, including Jabari Walker, Keeshawn Barthelemy (transfer), Eli Parquet (transfer) and Evan Battey.