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Ah, it’s almost that time of year again–ESPN playing highlights of Duke’s Grayson Allen losing his cool on loop. Last season, Allen became the latest Duke player fans love to hate after continuously tripping opponents, including Elon’s Steven Santa Ana. Allen, now a senior, will kick off his season Friday with a nice little reunion with Santa Ana, as his top-ranked Blue Devils are slated to play Elon.
Grayson Allen technical. pic.twitter.com/Apun9vaqkA
— ACC Now (@accnow) December 21, 2016
Just moments later…
https://twitter.com/FanSportsClips/status/811717871927603200
Allen, who is the sole captain of the Blue Devils this year, sat down with ESPN’s Jeff Goodman got discuss everything basketball and tripping.
Transcribed by FTW:
“I know there’s half the basketball world that thinks I’m this hothead, dirty player who can’t get anything under control, and who probably thinks I’m extremely arrogant. A selfish guy.
…. I didn’t watch it. I’m being honest, I didn’t watch it. I knew what had happened. I knew that everyone wasn’t going to understand why I was mad on the bench. I know a lot of people thought I was mad about a foul call, or something like that.
I knew I fouled the guy. I was mad about everything else I knew was going to happen…. A storm. A media storm. I knew I messed up again, and that’s a stain on my character and reputation, something that I didn’t want. I felt bad about it.”
It’s going to be interesting to see how or if Allen’s demeanor will change in his final season playing college basketball.
[h/t FTW]