Former Duke basketball guard Grayson Allen (Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports)
Duke Basketball Champ Catches Fire as Villain in Chicago
The Chicago Bulls hold well-documented disdain for Duke basketball product Grayson Allen, stemming from the then-Milwaukee Bucks guard grabbing Alex Caruso's arm as the Bulls guard attempted a fastbreak dunk during their January 2022 matchup in Milwaukee.
Caruso broke his hand on that play. And Chicago fans have reserved their loudest boos for Allen ever since.
But Allen, now in his first year with the Phoenix Suns (4-4), is used to playing the villain role.
On Wednesday night, after hearing a chorus of boos during his introduction in Chicago, the former four-year Blue Devil, whose hustle and in-the-zone buckets proved pivotal as a freshman in the 2014-15 Duke basketball squad's national championship win over Wisconsin, heated up to the tune of a career-high eight splashes from downtown.
Allen drew the starting nod and finished with a team-high 26 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including an 8-for-13 mark beyond the arc, in the Suns' 116-115 victory over the Bulls (3-6).
He added eight rebounds, four assists, one steal, two blocks, and only one turnover across 37 minutes on the floor.
"Getting booed makes the game feel like more normal for me almost," the 28-year-old former No. 21 overall draft pick told Phoenix Suns reporter Duane Rankin in the locker room following the game. "I got that so much it became my normal, my regular. So, it's more weird when it's silent."
Through eight games this season, the Duke basketball treasure has averaged 13.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in his 31.3 minutes per outing. He's shooting 48.7 percent from the field, 51.0 percent from three, and 100 percent at the charity stripe.
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Although Allen will likely lose his starting spot upon the return of Devin Booker, who may make his season debut next time out after recovering from a calf injury, there's no doubt the above level of production and efficiency should ensure the sixth-year pro remains part of the title contender's regular rotation.
Next up for Grayson Allen and the Phoenix Suns is a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers (3-5) at 10 p.m. ET Friday.
Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball news.