Just when you thought Rhode Island Basketball was done recruiting, it was announced Friday that Ray Allen III will join the program as a preferred walk-on.
Ray Allen III, son of two-time NBA champion and Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee Ray Allen, has committed to Coach Archie Miller and the Rams as a preferred walk-on for the 2023-24 season, according to Chris DiSano.
The 6-foot-1 shooting guard hails from Gulliver Prep in Miami. Despite being an unranked prospect out of high school, he held offers from Rutgers, UMass, and Rhode Island. He visited campus with his father in February.
One of the reasons that Allen III may have chosen the University of Rhode Island is because of his father’s connection to URI assistant Duane Woodward. Woodward played for Boston College when Ray Allen starred at then-conference rival UConn.
The news comes a day after the Rams filled their final open scholarship with German league standout David Fuchs.
Rhode Island has been active on the recruiting trail this offseason. While retaining just five players, they will welcome new talent from international ranks, high school level, and NCAA transfer portal.
Rhody received a recent commitment on May 13 from Jameson Smith. The 6-foot-1 point guard will also serve as a preferred walk-on next season.
Many think that Ray Allen III could earn a scholarship and contribute in the future when a player graduates or enters the transfer portal. Regardless the Rhody community will welcome him and his family to Kingston next season. And considering that there are so many new faces on the roster and no confirmed roles, maybe Allen can surprise folks and find a way to get minutes as soon as next season. Bigger surprises have happened in Atlantic 10 Basketball and the newest certainly has the pedigree.