Two sport Allen makes tough decision

Adam Allen, a 6-foot-6, 185-pound prospect from Milton (Fla.) High School, put his college decision on hold last week. The wait lasted one weekend. The four-star prospect is headed to the SEC.

Allen will announce his decision to play at Florida on Tuesday at a press conference at his school.

"I felt that Florida gives me the best chance to be successful," Allen said. "They have obviously established themselves as one of the best teams in the country and their coaching staff is just great. I love the campus and Gainesville is just an awesome place."

Allen picked Florida over offers from Alabama and Florida State. The in-state star recently unofficially visited the Gainesville campus and came away impressed with what he saw. But it was his baseball talents that played the deciding factor, he said. Also a stand out pitcher, Allen said Florida's baseball team made a strong connection with him.

"The Florida baseball coaches were the ones that wanted to give me the best chance of getting a fair shot as a pitcher," Allen said. "I really connected with their baseball coaches. I liked Florida, Florida State and Alabama all the same but baseball was the thing that pushed (UF) over the edge."

The Gators have struck it rich with three big in-state commitments in 2007. Allen joins guards Nick Calathes from the Orlando area and Gary Clark of Sarasota, both early Florida pledges.

"I think it's going to help a lot with our chemistry," Allen said. "It's going to be a lot of fun. Both Nick and Gary are great players. Nick is fun to watch. I can imagine us being successful together kind of like Steve Nash and Boris Diaw. He just knows how to get the ball to people."

Allen has shined in the spring time with the Tallahassee Wildcats, showing off a deadly perimeter game all the while maintaining his trademark motor and solid athleticism.

"Coach Donovan told me to start working on my two guard skills so I need to develop my dribble some more," Allen said. "Hopefully I can be like a Matt Walsh kind of player."

Now with his decision behind him, Allen said he is looking forward to rehabbing his ankle that he injured two weeks ago and preparing for a busy summer filled with AAU and baseball games.

"It's a great feeling to get this behind me."