Timing's not right for Temple's Allen

The NCAA has just about closed the window for underclassmen trying to gauge the NBA's interest in them. The players used to have a few months between declaring for the draft and deciding whether to stay in or return to school. Now, because of a new NCAA rule, they have a few weeks.

The window was barely open for players like Temple junior Lavoy Allen, who were not likely to be drafted unless they really impressed in workouts. Almost all of the NBA teams are just now scheduling workouts because they did not want to spend any time on players who were not definitely in the draft. The 2010 window closed Saturday. Allen withdrew his name from the potential draft pool before Saturday's deadline.

"The intent of this was to get the workouts so he could see where he matched up," said Frank Sciolla, Allen's coach at Pennsbury High.

Allen's one "workout" in Portland lasted 45 minutes. He flew to Chicago on Thursday. His flight to Portland was then cancelled. He spent the night in Chicago and got to Portland late for the "workout." He flew back to Chicago Friday where his connection to Philadelphia was cancelled. He made it back home Saturday.

"I do feel for Lavoy a little bit," Sciolla said. "Everybody has always said, 'He is so good, he is so good, but . . . ' There is always a 'but' attached with this kid. There is never just an acceptance."

If he had a chance to show what he could do in serious workouts, Allen might have impressed. He did not have that chance.

This "process" was just Sciolla and Temple coach Fran Dunphy making and taking phone calls with NBA contacts. But nothing happened.

"To even say that he tested the waters . . . " Sciolla said. "I mean, my son is 2. He tested the waters harder at a swimming pool. This [process] has gone by the wayside."

Allen was the first Temple player in nearly four decades to average a double-double (11.5 points, 10.7 rebounds). He has already scored more than 1,000 points and is a lock to get 1,000 rebounds. And he was the anchor of one of America's best defenses.

Dunphy said that Allen has a better understanding of team defense than any player he has coached. Now he will back for one more season where he may be able to erase any lingering questions about his ability and his NBA readiness.