History of Tony Allen (basketball) in Timeline

Tony Allen, nicknamed "The Grindfather," is a retired American professional basketball player renowned for his exceptional defensive skills. He played 14 seasons in the NBA, primarily for the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies. Allen earned six NBA All-Defensive Team selections, including three first-team honors, solidifying his reputation as one of the league's premier defenders. He was a key member of the 2008 Boston Celtics team that won the NBA championship. His tenacious on-ball defense and relentless effort made him a fan favorite and earned him widespread respect throughout the league.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

January 11, 1982: Anthony Allen Born

On January 11, 1982, Anthony Allen, later known as Tony Allen, was born. He would go on to become a professional basketball player.

1986: Playoff Records

In the 1986 Playoffs, John Salley, Roy Tarpley, Jayson Williams, Greg Ostertag, and Jeff Foster all recorded 10+ offensive rebounds in a postseason game.

1993: Highest Steals Rate Since Nate McMillan

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

2000: College Freshman at Butler County Community College

In 2000, Tony Allen began his college basketball career as a freshman at Butler County Community College, playing alongside future NBA player Will Bynum.

2002: Transferred to Oklahoma State University

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

2003: Oklahoma State Season

In the 2003-04 season, Tony Allen led Oklahoma State in scoring and reached 1,000 career points in just two seasons.

April 3, 2004: NCAA Final Four Loss

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

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 Celtics

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

January 22, 2005: First Career Start and 20 Points

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

November 2005: Indicted on aggravated battery charges

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

March 20, 2006: Season-High 18 Points and 4 Steals

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: Double-Double in Playoff Game

On April 29, 2006, Lorenzen Wright registered a double‐double in a playoff game, marking one of the few times a Grizzlies reserve had achieved this feat.

December 4, 2006: Scored Season-High 20 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 30 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 Knee 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 for the aggravated battery charges he was indicted on in November 2005.

2007: Returned from Injury

In 2007, Tony Allen recovered from his knee injury in time for the start of the season.

July 2008: Re-signed with the Celtics

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

2008: NBA Championship with Celtics

In 2008, Tony Allen and the Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

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 Boston Celtics reached the NBA Finals, where they were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers.

2010: Premier Perimeter Defender with Memphis

In 2010, Tony Allen began his first season with the Memphis Grizzlies, quickly establishing himself as one of the league's premier perimeter defenders.

2011: All-Defensive Team Recognition

From 2011 to 2017, Tony Allen was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team six out of seven times.

January 2012: Voted 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 8 Steals

On April 23, 2012, Tony Allen set a franchise record with 8 steals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2012: Brother plays for Grizzlies' Summer League squad

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

2012: All-Defensive First Team Honor

In the 2012-13 season, Tony Allen led all players receiving votes for the NBA All-Defensive teams, marking his second-straight First Team All-Defense honor.

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: Western Conference Finals Appearance

During the 2013 playoffs, Tony Allen helped Memphis advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.

2014: Continued Defensive Prowess

In the 2014-15 season, Tony Allen continued his defensive prowess while guarding the opposing team's best offensive talent.

2014: Led the league in steal percentage

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

2015: Defensive Stats

In the 2015-16 season, Tony Allen was tied for the NBA lead in steals per 48 minutes and led the Grizzlies with 1.7 steals per game.

February 26, 2016: Kobe Bryant gifts Allen 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!" Both players were inactive for the game.

May 2016: Named to 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: All-Defensive Selection

In the 2016-17 season, Tony Allen led the league in steal percentage.

June 26, 2017: Named to 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 Memphis Grizzlies announced that they would retire Tony Allen's No. 9 jersey when he retires.

November 1, 2017: Season-High 10 Points

On November 1, 2017, Tony Allen scored 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.

2017: All-Defensive Team Recognition

From 2011 to 2017, Tony Allen was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team six out of seven times.

February 1, 2018: Traded to the Chicago Bulls

On February 1, 2018, Tony Allen was traded to the Chicago Bulls along with other players and a draft pick, in exchange for Nikola Mirotić and a 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 in connection with an incident involving his wife.

2021: Pick Swap Option

As part of the February 1, 2018 trade, Chicago had the right to swap its 2021 second-round pick with New Orleans' own 2021 second-round pick.

January 2022: Domestic assault charges dismissed

In January 2022, the charges against Tony Allen for domestic assault, domestic vandalism, and interference with emergency calls 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 altogether, due to him paying back most of the $420,000 he had taken illegally before being arrested.

March 15, 2025: Jersey retirement ceremony

On March 15, 2025, Tony Allen's #9 jersey will be retired alongside teammate Zach Randolph against the Miami Heat, delayed from 2021-22 due to his arrest.

November 5, 2025: Allen Arrested on Drug Charges

On November 5, 2025, Tony Allen was arrested in Arkansas and charged with multiple drug offenses after a traffic stop revealed controlled substances and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle he was a passenger in.