Photo courtesy of Tarleton Athletics
Kaylee Allen made her debut for the Tarleton State University TexAnns last week in exhibitions against Texas Wesleyan University Thursday night and Hardin Simmons University on Saturday and a remarkable debut it was. The TexAnns outscored the Lady Rams 63-46. Allen had seven points in the exhibition all which were critical in increasing the lead on the Lady Rams after they had cut it down to seven points in the opening part of the second half of the game and within five points in the third quarter according to Tarleton Athletics. In the second exhibition against Hardin Simmons, Allen led all scorers with 17 points. 

“It was a big relief to have a good game with having to adjust to a new team,” Allen state. “It felt good to have a good start to the season and I could not have done it without the help of my teammates and coaching staff.” 

Leading all scorers is not a new trend for Allen. Before transferring to Tarleton this Fall, Allen attended Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia. There she led the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in points per game in conference play with 21.4 points and holds the school record at Savannah State for most points scored in a season with 542 points. Allen had three 30-point games which included her season-high of 38 points against South Carolina State. 

Allen also attended Chicago State University in Chicago, Illinois, for two seasons. In her first season there as a freshman she appeared in 26 games and started in 24 with a season high of 28 points. She finished third among the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) leaders in scoring and fourth among WAC leaders in steals. 

In comparison to her last two schools Allen feels that Tarleton presents more opportunities and is more welcoming and to this point Allen has enjoyed being at Tarleton more than her previous schools. Allen’s coming to Tarleton was in somewhat of an unorthodox way. A trip to hang out with a friend who was attending over the summer is what introduced her to the campus, and after drama with a coach at Savannah State, Allen decided to contact Coach Wilson and see if there was a spot for her on the team. The transition to Tarleton has been an easy one described Allen.

“I’m grateful to be here and be given the opportunity to play for Tarleton,” Allen said.  

Allen who is from Cincinnati, Ohio, start in basketball didn’t come until the fifth grade when she decided to quit soccer because of the travel requirements for practice and games. That choice paid off as she lettered four years in basketball and was a team captain for two seasons averaging 14.3 points per game. From the start of her basketball career Allen’s biggest supporter has been her mom.  

“She has been behind me through everything 100 percent and she taught me how to be independent and how to set goals and to become a strong woman,” Allen said. “I wouldn’t be here without her and I love and appreciate her for everything.”  

Outside of basketball Allen describes herself as being “very family oriented” as she enjoys spending most of her time with her family catching up. 

Playing professionally is something Allen definitely aspires to do after graduation. If those plans do not work out she plans to put her sociology degree to use and help youth in the juvenile system or coach basketball. 

In regard to her goals, Allen is extremely team oriented. A ring and a championship at the end of the season is what she is striving for. Her personal goals are centered around doing whatever she needs to do in order to help the team to be successful. She also strives to be able to get to the basket and also have a precise three-point shot much like Kevin Durant.  After the first weekend of exhibitions, Allen stated that the main focus is getting a better understanding of each other on the court 

“We just need to continue to work and play together and getting to know each other’s strengths so that we can take advantage of them on the court,” Allen said.

Allen is looking forward to every game this season and her new start with the team, which is something that is represented in her sporting the number zero this year. 

“I’ve worn 23 throughout my whole college career and zero is just the start of a new beginning along with the fact my favorite point guard Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers is number zero,” Allen stated

The TexAnns will open the regular season Nov. 9 as they host Rogers State at 5 p.m. at Wisdom Gym in Stephenville, Texas.