Florida small forward names favorites

The spring has offered plenty of promising signs for Milton (Fla.) High's junior small forward Adam Allen. One of the biggest arrived on Wednesday.

A Kansas assistant coach called Milton High coach Tim Short to inquiry about the 6-foot-6 small forward.

"Coach Short told me one of the Kansas coaches is supposed to call me soon," Allen said.

The news came as a big surprise to Allen. Then again, so did the scholarship offers he received from Alabama and Florida after leading Milton to the Class 4A state title game, along with his debut at No. 66 in the initial Rivals150 which was released Wednesday.

"It wasn't that long ago that Florida State was the only major school that really knew about me," Allen said. "It's a little different to have these big time schools call for someone around here. I really don't look at myself as a great player. My goal is to be a full-time starter at the Division-I level.

"But, I'm proud to say I have an offer from the national champs and I'm looking to get some more."

Allen says Alabama has the slight lead in the recruiting battle, followed closely by Florida and then FSU. He is heading to Alabama for an unofficial visit this weekend.

"I really like Tuscaloosa and Alabama had some success this past year and has been to the NCAA Tournament consistently," Allen said. "They have a really young team so I think their future is bright, and I also really like their coach (Mark) Gottfried. He is very down to earth and easy to talk to."

Gottfried saw Allen play in the King of the South tournament in Nashville in late April.

Florida coach Billy Donovan watched him play a week before that at the Houston Kingwood Classic and made a personal visit to Milton to offer Allen in person just days later. Allen is considering making a visit to Florida next weekend.

"Coach Donovan came to the school the Monday after the Kingwood and said he really liked me," Allen said. "He offered a scholarship, but said if I didn't commit by the end of the month he would start recruiting more small forwards.

"I wanted to make a decision by the end of this month, but now I'm not so sure. I'm feeling a little pressure."

Allen visited FSU, where his father played, two weeks ago. The Seminoles were the first D-I school to offer him and he was particularly impressed with their practices facility.

"FSU's facilities are top line," Allen said. "Some say they are better than most NBA teams."