Lucius Allen, a talented guard, made his presence felt in the world of professional basketball during the 1970s. Born on September 26, 1947, in Kansas City, Kansas, Allen honed his skills at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he played under the legendary coach John Wooden. At UCLA, Allen was part of two NCAA Championship teams in 1967 and 1968, sharing the court with future Hall of Famers like Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Allen's professional career began when he was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics as the third overall pick in the 1969 NBA Draft. However, his rookie season was cut short due to a knee injury, limiting his ability to showcase his full potential. Despite this setback, Allen's agility and scoring ability were evident, and he quickly became a valuable asset to the teams he played for.
In 1971, Allen was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he reunited with his former UCLA teammate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This reunion proved fruitful, as Allen played a crucial role in the Bucks' success during the early 1970s. The 1973-74 season was particularly noteworthy for Allen, as he averaged 17.6 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game, helping the Bucks reach the NBA Finals. Although the Bucks fell to the Boston Celtics in a hard-fought seven-game series, Allen's performance throughout the season was commendable.
Allen's tenure with the Bucks came to an end in 1974 when he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. During his time with the Lakers, Allen continued to demonstrate his scoring and playmaking abilities. He played alongside stars like Jerry West and Gail Goodrich, contributing to the Lakers' competitive edge in the Western Conference. Allen's stint with the Lakers lasted until 1977, after which he was traded to the Kansas City Kings.
With the Kings, Allen's role shifted slightly as he took on more of a veteran leadership position. His experience and basketball IQ were assets to the young team, and he provided stability in the backcourt. Allen's final NBA season was with the Kings in 1978-79, after which he retired from professional basketball.
Throughout his career, Lucius Allen was known for his quickness, ball-handling skills, and ability to score in crucial moments.
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