After a dominant senior season, breaking a school record and being named to the All-Big Sky Second Team, Trevon Allen’s life changed. COVID-19 prevented Allen from entering the 2020 NBA draft, so Allen and his agent decided that it would be in his best interest to try to play professional basketball overseas.
Allen signed his first professional contract with Polpharma Starograd Gdanski in the Polish Basketball League on July 10. After signing his pro deal, Allen would make the move from his hometown of Lapwai, Idaho to Starograd Gdanski, Poland.
The move marked the first time that Allen had been so far from his family prior to the time that he attended the University of Idaho living in Moscow. Allen only lived 42.6 miles away from home, but now Allen lives 5,004 miles away. His family is continuing to support him.
“It’s definitely been a different situation for me, but having an individualistic mindset and attitude helped me transition quickly,” Allen said. “(They) saw the results and kind of expected it because of the amount of work they have seen me put into it. I know they’re proud of me, and the reason I continue to keep working is because of the family I grew up with.”
Allen has stayed consistent and has put up similar numbers to when he played in college. Allen has competed in eight games this season, averaging 20 points per game. He currently holds third place in the league for scoring.
“I’m not surprised,” Zac Claus, head coach of UI men’s basketball, said. “I knew that he had worked very hard in order to take advantage of the opportunity he has, and I’m excited that he’s off to a great start. He was the one who always wanted to put the time and energy into it.”
Saydee Brass | Argonaut
Allen has brought his talent, skill and love for hard work to Poland, but a certain mindset continues to follow him wherever he competes. Allen’s motto, Work in Silence, is a mindset he developed and followed throughout his college career, it is now shown through a business side as well. Allen’s Work in Silence has become more than just a mindset as it has turned into a brand. Allen created Work in Silence merchandise and updated his YouTube channel with vlogs that capture life updates as a professional.
“It’s really helped me because that mindset is so much of putting in work behind the scenes and then my work can speak for itself,” Allen said. “When I first got here, language was a tough thing, I couldn’t talk to anybody. They recognized the work that I put in and realized what kind of player I was from my work.”
Allen will finish his first year of professional basketball as he looks to gain more knowledge and experience. Allen is still unsure of what his future holds, but he does hint that playing in the NBA is still a possibility.
“Playing at the highest level has always been a dream of mine,” Allen said. “Players in Europe get paid well, and once they’re established they find a way to the league at some point. But at the same time playing with the best of the best has always been a dream. It’s something I wouldn’t mind trying two to three years down the road, but at the same time I’m enjoying myself now and playing the game I love.”
Armin Mesinovic can be reached [email protected] or on Twitter @arminmesinovic.