There is nothing unusual about people from West Virginia heading to sunny Florida for the winter.
James Monroe all-stater Eli Allen is not heading south for the weather, however. Instead, the reining Evans Award winner is heading south in search of another championship ring.
After announcing in late June that he would be heading to Moravian Prep in Sawmills, North Carolina to continue his basketball career, Allen revisited that decision when former West Liberty University head coach Jim Crutchfield came calling.
Now the head coach at reigning Division II national champion Nova Southeastern University, Crutchfield offered Allen a chance to earn a starting spot as a true freshman and he could not pass it up.
“There was a good number of schools looking at me, but I originally considered going to prep school to get another year of basketball under me. Maybe get a little bigger, faster and stronger,” Allen said. “While there were several school looking at me, I didn’t feel like the right spot had hit me yet. A few weeks ago, Nova gave me a call and I went down there for a visit. I loved it.”
Nova Southeastern in located in Davie, FL, just north of Miami and was one of three former national championship coaches or programs that was interested in Allen.
Former Mountain State University head coach, and current Glenville State University head coach, Bob Bolen, along with Florida Southern had interest in the former Maverick as well.
“Even before I went down (to Florida), talking with coach Crutchfield and (assistant coach) Nick Smith, I felt like they were really good guys. It is a winning program for a reason,” Allen said. “With all of that and the style play I felt like it was a good fit. The style of play was a big part of why I chose to go play there.”
Virtually a walking triple-double in high school, Allen averaged 20-plus points the last two seasons and was named captain of the Class A all-state team both years. He finished his career with 1,653 points, 672 rebounds and 753 assists.
Along with being named Player of the Year by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association, Allen was also the 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year for boys basketball.
Allen is just the fourth Class A player to win the Evans Award, joining Notre Dame’s Jarrod West (2017), Mullens’ Herbie Brooks (1984) and Mount Hope’s Earl Jones (1979).
While he states he is taking things one day at a time right now, Allen admits he would love to play professional basketball one day, but his heart also lies with giving back to the youth.
“I think I will major in business and maybe minor in sports management.” Allen said. “I would also love to be a coach. I love the game and love interacting with the kids and people. I could definitely see myself being a coach one day.”
