Jerome Allen, the '95 Penn grad and two-time Ivy League Player of the Year, survived final cuts and made the Minnesota Timberwolves' 12-man regular season roster, the team announced yesterday. Allen is the first Ivy League player to reach the NBA since Dartmouth center Walter Palmer in 1990. Allen, the 49th overall pick in this past June's draft, signed a one-year contract with Minnesota for the minimum rookie salary of $200,000 at the beginning of training camp. The 6-foot-4 Allen should be the Timberwolves' fifth guard. Michael Williams and Isaiah Rider are the likely starters, with veteran Terry Porter the probable first guard off the bench. Both Allen and Timberwolves player personnel representatives were unavailable for comment last night. A source in Minnesota's media relations department called it "pretty much a foregone conclusion" going into the final round of cuts that Allen would make the roster. "It wasn't like he was really on the bubble. He was a second round pick and looked good at the start of training camp," the source said. Penn coach Fran Dunphy was happy forone of the best players he has ever coached. "It's great news. I'm real happy for him and his family," Dunphy said. "I think it's a great culmination to a lifelong dream." Allen and the rest of the Timberwolves open the 82-game regular season tonight at Sacramento. The TImberwolves make their only visit of the year to Philadelphia, Allen's home city, March 6 against the 76ers.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.