Kadeem Allen named G League Player of the Week

And he was called up by the Celtics

Kadeem Allen has been named the NBA G League Player of the Week, it was announced Monday.

In three games with the Maine Red Claws, Allen averaged 38 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game while shooting 54 percent from the field.

One of those three games included a career-high 46-point outburst from the Arizona product. (The highlights can be seen here).

Allen’s performance earned him a promotion, too, as the Celtics recalled him Monday. The 6-foot-3 guard has always been known for his ability to defend, but Boston is finding ways to unlock his offensive potential.

Allen, once one of the top junior college scorers, is averaging 18.3 points per game in Maine, with a shooting line of .467/.322/792.

He credited his improvement to the Celtics’ coaching staff.

“Really in the summertime with these guys, the coaches and the players giving me confidence,” he said in an interview with Celtics.com. “I put a lot of time into shooting the ball, and I know it’s starting to pay off and it’s starting to be noticed.”

It’s not just Allen’s shooting and scoring that has improved, but his passing as well. He played point guard at Arizona, but always profiled more as a slashing two-guard.

So far, he is averaging 5.0 assists in 34 minutes per game with the Red Claws.

“Not necessarily the read part, but just the actual ability to make the pass and deliver the ball,” Scott Morrison, Allen’s position coach with Boston told Celtics.com.

“I remember I kind of teased him in the summer that he couldn’t pass with his left hand, and I know (Red Claws assistant coach Alex) Barlow and those guys in Maine really worked on that and it’s shown up in his game.”

Allen has appeared in just three games with the Celtics and can only be with the team for a maximum of 45 days because of his two-way contract.

But the 25-year-old appears to have a future in NBA so long as he continues to hone his offensive skills.

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Allen’s former roommate Dusan Ristic was named Pac-12 Player of the Week on the same day.

This tidbit reminded me of a press conference last year when Ristic said he learned “some rap songs” when he lived with Allen.

“My freshman year I was really familiar with hip-hop culture,” Ristic said. “He probably introduced me to it.”

What artist did Allen listen to the most?

“50 Cent,” Ristic said.

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Follow Ryan Kelapire on Twitter at @RKelapire

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