Kaelen Allen was in middle
school when he realized his
dream of becoming a professional
basketball player.
Allen is a freshman and was on
born August 17, 2000.
He plays for the East Los
Angeles College men’s basketball
team.
He was recruited by ELAC
coach Hunter.
He said that the coach watched
him play during high school and
recommended him to play at
ELAC.
He took the offer because it
was close to his home and it
would be easy for his parents to
commute to games to see him.
He practices two-and-a-half
hours at school and sometimes
puts in time out of school.
Other than practice, he is
busy with trying to complete his
major in criminal justice.
Allen was unsure whether he
would change his major, but
in the long run, has decided to
stick with his choice of criminal
justice.
Criminal Justice has always
intrigued him.
He would watch “Criminal
Justice” and be amazed by how
authorities handed out justice.
Allen’s favorite basketball
player is former Laker, Kobe
Bryant, but more than anything,
he looks up to his father.
“He’s my biggest inspiration,”
Allen said.
Both of his parent’s support
the path he has chosen to follow.
Currently, he is not working
because of basketball, but he’s
willing and looking to get a
job after the basketball season.
Basketball has helped him see
that.“Some days, not everybody
can play,” Allen said.
Without basketball, he would
most likely pursue a career in
science.
Allen is a starter on the ELAC
men’s basketball team. He is a
forward and his favorite way to
score is dunking.
He said that college basketball
is exciting and, “Not as hard as
I thought.”
He recommends the school to
the next student-athletes, as it is
a new experience for him.
ELAC has a good coach and is
a nice campus.”
Allen said he feels his biggest
accomplishment in basketball was
winning the city championship
while in high school.
His biggest failure is losing a
game and missing his shots.
Allen said that other than what
he is currently doing, he is a big
fan of video games. “I really love
video games,” Allen said.
His favorite video game title is
“Call of Duty.”
“KJ is very sweet and
respectful. He works extremely
hard for both basketball and his
schoolwork. I know he is going
to go far in life,” Ryley Rhamey
said about Allen.
BY ZASHA HAYES
Staff Writer