Brendan Allen is in his sophomore year as a Guard for the UConn Huskies. He became interested in basketball as a hobby to keep up with his friends.  "I initially played football. Football is my favorite sport. I started playing basketball because once football season ended each year, I picked up travel basketball over the summer to be with my friends. Basketball evolved into something that I loved to do."

As a sophomore Brendan is going to help the new freshmen by being vocal, provide support and encouragement to them. "I want to be more of an encouraging push to them then a harsh critic to help transition them."

Being from Connecticut, naturally UConn would be where Brendan would want to play. "UConn was always my #1 choice. I can remember watching Ben Gordon and RIP (Richard) Hamilton (former UConn players) play and just thinking, that's where I want to go." 

Brendan's most memorable basketball experience so far was scoring his first two points at UConn. "I drove baseline and laid the ball up.  It was at Gampel Pavilion, against Cincinnati.  It was a simple play but it was my most memorable experience, my first two points scored here."

The transition from high school to college would have been much more difficult but Brendan went to a preparatory school for a year after  high school which helped when he later arrived at Upon. "At prep school I played against guys who entered the National Basketball Association draft. College basketball is a whole other level from high school.  It was tougher but it helps to ease the transition by going to prep school."

When asked what it takes to make Coach Ollie happy Brendan said, "Coach Ollie is not big on demands. He just wants you to work hard, give your best effort and have a good attitude. It's almost a guarantee that you'll get better and he'll be happy."