History of Tony Allen (basketball) in Timeline

Tony Allen, "The Grindfather", is a retired NBA player known primarily for his defensive prowess. Playing 14 seasons, mainly with the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies, he earned six NBA All-Defensive Team selections, including three First Team honors. Allen won an NBA championship with the Celtics in 2008. His tenacious on-ball defense has cemented his reputation as one of basketball's greatest defenders.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

January 11, 1982: Anthony Allen Born

On January 11, 1982, Anthony Allen, nicknamed "the Grindfather," was born. He would go on to become a professional basketball player in the NBA.

1986: Offensive Rebounds Record

In a game during the 2014 playoffs, Tony Allen recorded 10 offensive rebounds, becoming the sixth reserve to record 10+ offensive rebounds in a postseason game since the 1986 Playoffs.

1993: Comparison to Nate McMillan

In 2010-11 Tony Allen averaged 4.14 steals per 48 minutes, the highest rate by an NBA player since Nate McMillan in 1993-94.

2000: Butler County Community College

In 2000, Tony Allen started playing college basketball at Butler County Community College alongside Will Bynum.

2002: Transferred to Oklahoma State University

In 2002, Tony Allen transferred to Oklahoma State University for his junior season.

2003: Oklahoma State University

In 2003, Tony Allen played for Oklahoma State and earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors.

April 3, 2004: NCAA Final Four Loss

On April 3, 2004, Tony Allen and Oklahoma State lost in the NCAA Final Four to Georgia Tech. Allen recorded 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.

June 24, 2004: Drafted by the Boston Celtics

On June 24, 2004, Tony Allen was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the first round (25th overall) of the NBA draft.

July 3, 2004: Signed with the Boston Celtics

On July 3, 2004, Tony Allen signed a multi-year contract with the Boston Celtics.

January 22, 2005: First Career Start

On January 22, 2005, Tony Allen made his first career start, scoring 20 points against the Atlanta Hawks.

November 2005: Indicted on aggravated battery charges

In November 2005, Tony Allen was indicted on three counts of aggravated battery following a fight in August 2005 in Chicago.

March 20, 2006: Season-High Points

On March 20, 2006, Tony Allen recorded a season-high 18 points and 4 steals in a home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

April 29, 2006: Lorenzen Wright double-double

Tony Allen became the second Grizzlies reserve to register a double‐double in a playoff game, joining Lorenzen Wright (10 points, 10 rebounds on April 29, 2006).

December 4, 2006: Season-High Points

On December 4, 2006, Tony Allen scored a season-high of 20 points during a loss to the Chicago Bulls.

December 15, 2006: Career-High Points

On December 15, 2006, Tony Allen scored a career-high 30 points to go with 8 rebounds against the Denver Nuggets.

January 7, 2007: 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 steals

On January 7, 2007, Tony Allen recorded 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 steals in a road loss to the Orlando Magic.

January 10, 2007: Season-Ending Injury

On January 10, 2007, Tony Allen suffered a season-ending tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) of his left knee during a game against the Indiana Pacers.

April 2007: Found not guilty at trial

In April 2007, Tony Allen was found not guilty at trial regarding the aggravated battery charges from November 2005.

2007: Recovered from Injury

In 2007, Tony Allen recovered in time for the start of the 2007-08 season after suffering an ACL and MCL tear in his left knee.

July 2008: Re-signed with the Celtics

In July 2008, Tony Allen re-signed with the Boston Celtics on a two-year deal.

2008: NBA Finals Berth and Championship

In 2008, Tony Allen played a role in the Celtics' playoff run that led to an NBA Finals berth, where they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers to claim the 2008 NBA Championship.

2008: NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics

In 2008, Tony Allen won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics.

December 27, 2009: First Career Double-Double

On December 27, 2009, Tony Allen recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against the Los Angeles Clippers.

July 13, 2010: Signed with the Memphis Grizzlies

On July 13, 2010, Tony Allen signed a three-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.

2010: NBA Finals Appearance

In 2010, Tony Allen and the Celtics reached the NBA Finals, where they were defeated by the Lakers.

2010: Premier Perimeter Defender

In 2010, Tony Allen became one of the league's premier perimeter defenders with the Memphis Grizzlies.

2011: 2011-12 NBA All-Defensive First Team

In the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, Allen was named to the 2011–12 NBA All-Defensive First Team.

January 2012: Best Perimeter Defender

In January 2012, Tony Allen was voted the best perimeter defender in the NBA by the league's general managers.

April 23, 2012: Franchise Record Steals

On April 23, 2012, Tony Allen recorded a franchise record and career high of 8 steals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2012: NBA All-Defensive First Team

In 2012, Tony Allen led all players receiving votes for the NBA All-Defensive teams, marking his second-straight First Team All-Defense honor.

2012: Brother plays in Grizzlies' Summer League

In 2012, Tony Allen's brother, Ryan, played on the Grizzlies' Summer League team after a four-year collegiate career at Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

July 15, 2013: Re-signed with the Grizzlies

On July 15, 2013, Tony Allen re-signed with the Memphis Grizzlies on a four-year contract.

2013: Playoff Career Highs

During the 2013 playoffs, Tony Allen averaged playoff career highs and helped Memphis advance to the Western Conference Finals.

2014: Led League in Steal Percentage

In 2014-15 Tony Allen led the league in steal percentage.

2014: NBA All-Defensive First Team

In 2014-15, Tony Allen made his third NBA All-Defensive First Team.

2015: Continued Defensive Stalwart

In 2015, Allen continued to be a defensive stalwart for the Grizzlies.

February 26, 2016: Kobe Bryant presents Allen with autographed shoes

On February 26, 2016, Kobe Bryant presented Tony Allen with an autographed pair of shoes that read, "To Tony, the best defender I ever faced!" during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers, where both players were inactive.

May 2016: NBA All-Defensive Second Team

In May 2016, Tony Allen was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team for the 2015–16 season.

2016: Grizzlies season

In 2016-17, Tony Allen played for the Grizzlies, averaging 9.1 points and a team-leading 1.62 steals.

June 26, 2017: NBA All-Defensive Second Team

On June 26, 2017, Tony Allen was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team for the 2016–17 season, marking his sixth career All-Defensive selection.

September 15, 2017: Signed with the New Orleans Pelicans

On September 15, 2017, Tony Allen signed with the New Orleans Pelicans.

October 12, 2017: Jersey Retirement Announcement

On October 12, 2017, the Grizzlies announced they would retire Tony Allen's No. 9 jersey when he retires.

November 1, 2017: Season-High Points

On November 1, 2017, Tony Allen had a season-high 10 points in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

December 10, 2017: Fractured Left Fibula

On December 10, 2017, Tony Allen suffered a fractured left fibula during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

February 1, 2018: Traded to the Chicago Bulls

On February 1, 2018, Tony Allen was traded to the Chicago Bulls along with Ömer Aşık and Jameer Nelson in exchange for Nikola Mirotić and a 2018 second-round pick.

October 7, 2021: Indicted for insurance fraud

On October 7, 2021, Tony Allen was indicted for insurance fraud in the Southern District of New York for allegedly defrauding the NBA's health and welfare benefit plan.

November 28, 2021: Charged with domestic assault

On November 28, 2021, Tony Allen was charged with domestic assault, domestic vandalism, and interference with emergency calls involving his wife.

January 2022: Domestic assault charges dismissed

In January 2022, the charges of domestic assault, domestic vandalism, and interference with emergency calls against Tony Allen were dismissed.

August 8, 2023: Sentenced to probation and community service

On August 8, 2023, Tony Allen was sentenced to three years of probation and community service with supervision, avoiding prison, due to him paying back most of the $420,000 he had taken illegally.