Storrs, Conn. – Former UConn all-time great Ray Allen is the new three-point king in the NBA. Allen broke the NBA’s all-time record for three-pointers made when he passed Reggie Miller with his 2,561st three-pointer against the arch rival Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.
“This is an incredible accomplishment for Ray and I could not be more proud for him. What he has done and continues to do every day as an ambassador for UConn Basketball is beyond words. We all congratulate him on his achievement and I have already spoken to him about trying to get him here for a game so that we can all honor him in person. His work ethic makes him the ultimate role model for all of our players, past, present and future, to follow. Congratulations Ray, the greatest shooter in the history of the NBA!” said UConn Head Coach Jim Calhoun.
Allen’s new mark looks to be safe in the record books for a long time as well. The next active player on the list, Jason Kidd, is over 800 three-pointers behind and turning 38 this season.
Allen is having one of his most efficient seasons as a pro, averaging 17.4 points per game on 51-percent shooting, including a remarkable 46-percent from three-point range. For his career, Allen has averaged 20.4 points per game on 45-percent shooting with 40-percent from deep. Allen has also been a lock on the free-throw line, shooting 89-percent for his career.
Ray Allen was UConn’s first two-time All-American, including a consensus First Team All-American in 1995-96. He scored 1,922 points (19.0 avg.) in three college seasons, guiding UConn to an overall record of 87-12. Allen ranks No. 4 on the Husky career scoring list. He was No. 2 in voting for “National Player of the Year” honors as a junior, helped lead UConn to three straight BIG EAST Conference regular season championships (49-5 league record), and three NCAA berths (two Sweet 16’s, one Elite 8). Allen was the 1995-96 BIG EAST Conference Player of the Year and was named the USA Basketball Male “Athlete of Year” in 1995.
Allen has experienced an incredible NBA career after being drafted fifth overall in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks on draft day. He was named a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Stars in 2011, marking his 10th selection to the All-Star Game.
Among a long list of awards and accomplishments, Allen won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and an Olympic Gold Medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia. He was named All-NBA twice in his career, earning Second-Team honors in 2004-05 and Third-Team honors in 2000-01.
ESPN Sports Science video on Ray Allen | Ray Allen’s Career Stats
Photo credits: AP Photo, Getty Images
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