Grayson Allen Bio
Grayson James Allen is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays the shooting guard position and stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighing 198 pounds. Allen was selected with the 21st overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz after playing four years of college basketball at Duke University, where he helped the Blue Devils capture the NCAA national championship in 2015. He is married to former Duke women’s soccer player Morgan Reid, and the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in October 2024.
Early Life and Background
Grayson James Allen was born on October 8, 1995, in Jacksonville, Florida. He attended Providence School in Jacksonville, where he developed into one of the top high school prospects in the country. Allen showed early promise as a scoring guard with exceptional shooting ability and court vision. His performance at the high school level caught the attention of college programs across the nation.
In 2014, Allen was selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game, one of the most prestigious high school all-star events in the United States. He also won the McDonald’s All-American Slam Dunk Contest during that event, jumping over future Duke teammate Jahlil Okafor. Allen led Providence School to a Florida state championship the year before his McDonald’s All-American selection. His success at the high school level earned him a scholarship to play for Duke University, one of the most storied programs in college basketball history.
Path to Professional Basketball
Allen committed to play for Duke University under legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski. He joined a recruiting class that included future NBA players Jahlil Okafor and Tyus Jones. The transition from high school to college basketball proved challenging initially, but Allen steadily improved his game and adapted to the increased competition level of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
His freshman season in 2014-2015 became a turning point in his collegiate career. While his regular-season numbers were modest at 4.4 points per game, Allen elevated his play during the NCAA tournament. He scored 16 points in the championship game against Wisconsin on April 7, 2015, helping Duke capture the national title. Coach Mike Krzyzewski credited Allen with carrying the team when they fell behind by nine points, stating that Allen “put us on his back” during the comeback victory.
Grayson Allen Career
College Career (2014–2018)
During his sophomore season in 2015-2016, Allen emerged as one of the top offensive players in the ACC, averaging 21 points per game while shooting 41 percent from three-point range. He played an average of 36.6 minutes per game and made 83.7 percent of his free throws. His performance earned him Second-team All-American honors from Sporting News and Third-team All-American honors from the Associated Press and NABC. He was also named First-team All-ACC that season.
However, his sophomore season was also marked by controversy. Allen was involved in multiple tripping incidents during games, including episodes against Louisville and Florida State. The Atlantic Coast Conference issued him a reprimand, and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski suspended him indefinitely during his junior season before eventually stripping him of his team captaincy. Allen returned after serving a one-game suspension and was later reinstated as captain for his senior season, which the team voted to restore.
Allen returned to Duke for his senior season in 2017-2018, averaging 15.5 points per game on 41.8 percent shooting. He scored a season-high 37 points against Michigan State on November 14, 2017. Duke reached the Elite Eight that year before losing to Kansas in overtime. Allen finished his four-year Duke career with 1,996 points, ranking 12th on the Blue Devils’ career scoring list. He appeared in 142 games, averaging 14.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. He earned All-America and Academic All-America honors in 2016 and All-ACC Academic honors four times.
Utah Jazz (2018–2019)
Allen was drafted by the Utah Jazz with the 21st overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft on June 21, 2018. He signed his rookie contract on July 2 and spent part of his rookie season assigned to the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz’s G League affiliate. He made his NBA debut on October 22, 2018, scoring 7 points in 11 minutes off the bench against the Memphis Grizzlies. Allen’s rookie season showed flashes of his scoring ability, culminating in a career-high 40 points with 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block in an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on April 10, 2019.
Memphis Grizzlies (2019–2021)
On July 6, 2019, Allen was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a multiplayer deal that sent Mike Conley to the Jazz. His time with the Grizzlies began with an ejection from a Summer League game following back-to-back flagrant fouls. Allen gradually carved out a role as a rotation player, developing into a reliable three-point shooter. On April 7, 2021, he recorded a season-high 30 points along with 4 rebounds and 3 assists in a win over the Atlanta Hawks. During the playoffs that year, Allen recorded a playoff career-high 17 points against his former team, the Utah Jazz, though the Grizzlies lost the series in five games.
Milwaukee Bucks (2021–2023)
On August 7, 2021, Allen was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, the defending NBA champions at the time. Bucks general manager Jon Horst praised Allen’s “three-point shooting, energy, toughness and basketball IQ” as qualities that made him a valuable addition. He signed a two-year, $20 million extension with the team shortly after joining. Allen became a consistent contributor off the bench, providing floor spacing and perimeter scoring for the Bucks.
On January 21, 2022, Allen was involved in a controversial play where he fouled Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso, causing Caruso to suffer a fractured right wrist that required 6 to 8 weeks to recover. Allen was ejected from the game and received a one-game suspension from the NBA. He later expressed regret about the play, stating he would not have made it if he had known how Caruso would fall. During the 2022 playoffs, Allen scored a playoff career-high 22 points in Game 3 against the Bulls, later besting that with 27 points in Game 4. On January 4, 2023, he hit a game-winning three-point shot in overtime to defeat the Toronto Raptors.
Phoenix Suns Era (2023–Present)
Allen joined the Phoenix Suns on September 27, 2023, as part of a three-team trade that sent Jusuf Nurkić to Portland and brought Damian Lillard to Milwaukee. His first season with the Suns proved to be a breakthrough campaign. On November 6, 2023, he scored a season-high 26 points with a career-best 8-of-13 three-point shooting in an overtime win over the Chicago Bulls. He continued his strong play throughout the season, scoring 32 points on Christmas Day against the Dallas Mavericks and 31 points with a career-high 9-of-14 three-point shooting against the Miami Heat on January 5, 2024.
Allen broke his career high in assists on February 8, 2024, finishing with 14 assists in a win over the Utah Jazz. By the end of the 2023-2024 season, he led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage at 46.1 percent, becoming the second Suns player in franchise history to lead the league in three-point percentage, joining Craig Hodges. On April 15, 2024, Allen signed a four-year, $70 million contract extension with the Suns, securing his future with the franchise through 2028.
Playing Style and Strengths
Allen is primarily known as a three-point shooting specialist who excels at catching and shooting, moving without the ball, and spacing the floor. His 46.1 percent three-point shooting during the 2023-2024 season ranked first in the entire NBA, demonstrating his elite efficiency from beyond the arc. He has also shown the ability to score in bunches, as evidenced by his career-high 42 points against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 10, 2025, which included a Suns franchise-record 10 three-pointers made in a single game. Allen has developed into a capable secondary ball handler and playmaker, recording a career-high 14 assists in a game against Utah.
Notable Events and Milestones
Allen has accumulated several notable milestones throughout his NBA career. His 40-point performance against the Los Angeles Clippers during his rookie season announced his scoring potential. Leading the NBA in three-point shooting percentage during the 2023-2024 season represented his transformation into one of the league’s premier shooters. Setting the Suns franchise record with 10 three-pointers in a single game on November 10, 2025, further cemented his status as an elite shooter. His dramatic buzzer-beating three-pointer against the Utah Jazz on February 7, 2025, forcing overtime in a comeback victory, showcased his ability to deliver in crucial moments.
Grayson Allen Career Highlights
Allen has established himself as a reliable three-point shooter throughout his NBA career, with his most prolific season coming in 2023-2024 when he led the league in three-point percentage. His journey from a 21st overall draft pick to a core rotation player demonstrates his development and persistence in the professional ranks.
NBA Achievements
Allen led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage during the 2023-2024 season with a 46.1 percent mark, becoming the first Suns player to accomplish this feat while playing an entire season with the team. His career-high 42 points scored against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 10, 2025, included a Suns franchise record 10 three-pointers made in a single game. He has recorded multiple 30-point games throughout his career and has shown the ability to contribute across various statistical categories.
College Achievements
At Duke, Allen was part of the 2015 NCAA championship team and finished his career 12th on the Blue Devils’ all-time scoring list with 1,996 points. He earned Second-team All-American honors in 2016 and was named First-team All-ACC that same season. Allen received Academic All-America honors in 2016, becoming the sixth Blue Devil to earn both All-America and Academic All-America honors in the same season. He was also a four-time All-ACC Academic honoree.
Grayson Allen Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Allen began dating Morgan Reid while both were students at Duke University. Reid was a standout player on the Duke women’s soccer team before turning professional. She played in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) for both the North Carolina Courage and the Orlando Pride. Reid retired from professional soccer in 2022 due to a hip injury. Allen and Reid became engaged in February 2022 and married on July 23, 2022, in a ceremony attended by family and friends.
In October 2024, Allen and his wife welcomed their first child, a baby girl. Allen has maintained a relatively private personal life, focusing on his basketball career while supporting his wife’s professional endeavors and now their growing family.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-2025 NBA season represented a significant milestone in Allen’s career as he posted career-high numbers across the board. He averaged 16.5 points per game, demonstrating his most prolific scoring season to date. His standout performance came on November 10, 2025, when he scored a career-high 42 points on 10-of-15 three-point shooting against the New Orleans Pelicans, setting a Suns franchise record for most three-pointers made in a single game.
On February 7, 2025, Allen delivered a dramatic performance against the Utah Jazz, scoring 21 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and adding 6 assists in an overtime victory. He capped regulation with a buzzer-beating three-pointer that forced overtime, showcasing his clutch gene in a crucial moment. The Suns finished the regular season with a 45-37 record, earning the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Allen played a vital role in the Suns’ playoff push throughout the season. However, he suffered a left hamstring strain that forced him to miss the play-in tournament games. The Suns faced the reigning champion and top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs. After missing the first two games due to his hamstring injury, Allen returned for Game 3, recording 7 points in a loss. The Suns were ultimately swept in four games by the Thunder, ending their season earlier than hoped. Allen’s career year statistically positioned him as a key piece for the Suns’ future as he entered the prime of his career.