By By: Kaylee Darnell
Sports Editor
If you’ve been around IU South Bend athletics within the last five years, you’ve probably heard of the name Dylan Allen. Allen was a member of the men’s basketball team from 2018 to 2022 and was a Spring 2022 graduate.
During his final season, he was named to the NAIA All-American Third Team, All-CCAC First Team and All-CCAC Honorable Mention. He was ranked 22 in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) for steals with 63, and was ranked 4 in steals for the CCAC (Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference). He was also ranked 5 in Free Throws Made with 103; 5 in Free Throw Percentage with 81.7%; 7 with Steals per Game with 2.0; and 10 in Three-Point FG Made with 59 for the CCAC as well.
Since graduating college, Allen had been looking to further his athletic career, Upon his search, he found a new place he could call home.
“The process really was a waiting game at first. I had my agent and he just reached out to different people looking for my particular position. Then came about the Morocco group that I am at now,” Allen said.
According to Allen, the process was not immediate.
“He sent over my film and highlights and looked to see if they thought I would be a good fit in on the team. They would then go through with trying to sign me. Then they would get all the information they need to get down to the particular place,” Allen said.
To play professionally is a dream for any young athlete growing up, whether it is in the country they grew up in or a country across the world. It is a big goal that not many achieve. Allen put in the work day in and day out while being a part of IU South Bend’s team, and he continued his hard work even after he hung up his number 11 jersey.
“Just being in basketball shape and the conditioning part has helped me the most. Also, just learning how they play overseas. It’s kind of different than back at home,” Allen said. “The customs and how they do things here are very different. The language has been the biggest part for me, but overall, it hasn’t been the hardest thing,” Allen added.
Allen pays tribute to his years at IU South Bend and all the opportunities that the school and the program brought to him. Every step along the way brought him to where he’s at now, and it will continue to lead him to wherever he goes.
When asked what his favorite part about moving to Morocco Allen answered that “just being able to continue to play the sport I love” is his favorite, and will be throughout his entire journey.
