Jarrett Allen Bio
Jarrett Allen (born April 21, 1998) is an American professional basketball player who plays center for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played one season of college basketball at the University of Texas before being selected 22nd overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2017 NBA draft. In February 2022, Allen was named to his first NBA All-Star Game, cementing his place among the league’s top centers.
Early Life and Background
Jarrett Allen was born in San Diego, California, and raised in Texas. He attended Walsh Middle School in Round Rock before spending his freshman year at Round Rock High School. Allen later transferred to St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin, Texas, where he played his final three years of high school basketball and won two Southwest Preparatory Conference championships.
As a senior, Allen was selected to play in the 2016 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game, one of the most prestigious showcases for top high school talent. He was rated as a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 15 overall player in the Class of 2016. He ultimately committed to the University of Texas at Austin to play his college basketball at the high-major level.
Path to Basketball
Allen spent one season with the Texas Longhorns, where he averaged 13.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game as a freshman. His best performance came against Kansas, when he posted 22 points and 19 rebounds in a 12-point loss. Despite the team’s overall 11–22 finish, Allen’s production was enough to convince NBA scouts that he was ready for the professional ranks.
Following his freshman season, Allen declared for the 2017 NBA draft and decided to forgo his remaining three years of college eligibility. He was selected 22nd overall by the Brooklyn Nets and signed his rookie-scale contract on July 20, 2017. Less than four months later, he made his NBA debut on October 20, becoming the second-youngest player ever to appear in a game for the franchise, trailing only Derrick Favors in that category.
Jarrett Allen Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Allen quickly established himself as a reliable interior presence for the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets. On January 25, 2018, he joined the starting lineup for the first time and produced a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double in a 116–108 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. By February 2018, he had set a career high with 20 points against the Los Angeles Lakers, and by April he had matched a Nets record with five blocks in a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
During the 2018–19 season, Allen continued to grow. On November 17, 2018, he scored a career-high 24 points against the Los Angeles Clippers, and on January 16, 2019, he grabbed a career-high 24 rebounds in an overtime win against the Houston Rockets. Over four seasons in Brooklyn, he developed into one of the league’s most efficient young centers before being included in the four-team James Harden trade in January 2021.
Cleveland Cavaliers Breakthrough (2021–Present)
On January 14, 2021, Allen was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of the blockbuster deal that sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. Cleveland extended a qualifying offer that summer, making Allen a restricted free agent, and on August 6, 2021, he signed a five-year, $100 million contract extension. He quickly became a foundational piece of the Cavaliers’ young core alongside forward Evan Mobley.
In the 2021–22 season, Allen started all 56 games he played and posted career-best averages of 16.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 67.7 percent from the field. His play helped transform Cleveland’s defense from one of the league’s worst to one of its best, and he was rewarded with a selection to the 2022 NBA All-Star Game as a replacement for Harden.
Allen continued his strong play in subsequent seasons. On January 22, 2024, he set the Cavaliers’ franchise record for consecutive double-doubles, surpassing marks held by Andre Drummond and Elmore Smith. In Game 2 of the 2024 first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, Allen recorded a playoff career-high 20 rebounds, along with 16 points, three assists, two steals, and three blocks in a 96–86 win.
Cleveland Cavaliers Era (2024–Present)
On July 31, 2024, Allen and the Cavaliers agreed to a three-year, $91 million maximum contract extension that runs through 2027. During the 2024–25 NBA season, he started all 82 games and posted averages of 13.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. He remained a steady rim protector and offensive finisher as Cleveland pushed for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.
In October 2025, Allen suffered a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx in his left ring finger during a game against the Boston Celtics. After recovering, he returned to form and on February 2, 2026, recorded a career-high 40 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and four blocks in a 130–111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, signaling his continued impact as one of the NBA’s elite centers.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although he is not a driver, Allen’s playing style centers on efficient rim running, lob finishing, and elite shot-blocking. He owns the highest offensive rating of any player in NBA history among those with at least 15,000 minutes played, a reflection of his consistent shot selection and finishing touch around the basket.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his All-Star selection, Allen owns the NBA record for making 10 or more field goals without a miss in a season opener, a feat accomplished on October 20, 2021, against the Memphis Grizzlies. He also set the Cavaliers’ franchise record for consecutive double-doubles in January 2024.
Jarrett Allen Career Wins
While individual scoring titles are not the primary measure of a center’s value, Jarrett Allen has accumulated numerous career milestones, including an NBA All-Star selection, an All-Big 12 honor, and McDonald’s All-American recognition. His consistency on both ends of the floor has helped his teams reach the playoffs and post top-tier defensive ratings.
NBA Highlights
Across his NBA career, Allen has produced multiple 20-rebound performances, including a 24-rebound outing against the Houston Rockets in 2019, and several 20-point games against playoff-caliber opponents. His 2021–22 All-Star campaign remains the centerpiece of his professional résumé, and his 2024 playoff performance against Orlando showcased his ability to elevate in high-league moments.
Other Wins & Performances
Before the NBA, Allen captured two SPC championships at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School and earned McDonald’s All-American honors in 2016. He was also a Third-team All-Big 12 selection during his lone season at Texas and represented the United States at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship in Chile.
Jarrett Allen Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Basketball runs deep in Jarrett Allen’s family. His father, Leonard Allen, was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1985 NBA draft after playing at San Diego State and professionally in Spain. His older brother, Leonard Allen Jr., committed to play collegiate basketball at Baylor University before taking a leave of absence in 2017.
Personal Life
Jarrett Allen married his longtime partner, Jordyn January, in Austin, Texas, in July 2025. The couple had been engaged since 2023. Allen continues to reside in the United States and maintains an active presence on social media.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NBA season was another full workload campaign for Jarrett Allen, as he started all 82 regular-season games for the Cleveland Cavaliers and averaged 13.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. He continued to anchor one of the Eastern Conference’s top defenses and remained the team’s primary rim protector. His durability reinforced his value to a Cavaliers team built around his interior presence.
Although a left ring finger fracture in October 2025 briefly interrupted his season, Allen returned and finished the year strong. His February 2026 career-high 40-point performance against Portland underscored his continued growth as a scorer and playmaker from the center position. With his contract running through 2027, Allen remains a long-term cornerstone for Cleveland’s championship aspirations.
