Miami guard Dante Allen sat down with Peter Ariz to discuss his first year in Coral Gables, his relationship with Jim Larrañaga successor Jai Lucas, and the expectations heading into year two as one of the program’s returning leaders. A transcript of the interview is below:
Peter Ariz: Dante, what a difference a year makes. Almost to the day, you committed to Miami. Just talk about your growth over the last year as a player and as a person.
Dante Allen: It’s been great. About a year ago, I committed here and felt really good about it—Coach Lucas, the pieces around him, the players coming in. Being able to play, learn from older guys, understand the ropes of college basketball, and just get thrown into it—it was huge. I think it was a great learning year, and now I’m excited to carry all of that into year two.
Peter Ariz: What’s it like playing for Coach Lucas? He’s said before that even before he got the job, you were a guy he wanted in his program. What’s your relationship like with him, and what’s it like playing for him?
Dante Allen: It’s great. Our relationship formed fast. After I committed, he was one of the first people to say he wanted me as part of his program when he got the job. As a kid, that’s something you want to hear—that your future head coach has that kind of belief in you.
Playing for him is great. He’s been around the game, played himself, understands the mind of a college player. He knows how guys respond, how to communicate with each individual. That helps get the best out of us, and I think it benefits the whole team.
Peter Ariz: What’s it like playing in front of your family here at home, being able to look up in the stands and see them?
Dante Allen: It means everything. The way I play, the player I’ve become, I credit a lot of that to growing up here—playing at Riviera, playing AAU in Miami. To now show that on a bigger stage in front of the whole city means a lot.
I take a lot of pride in it. When we win big games, especially ones the program hasn’t had in a while, doing that in front of people who’ve known me for years—it’s special. It’s a product of where we’re all from.
Peter Ariz: You got a big taste of it this year—starting games, NCAA Tournament run. What’s the focus for you this offseason to take your game to the next level?
Dante Allen: Just building off what I was. I had great pieces around me—Tre, Ernest—guys like that. Now it’s about stepping into more responsibility, not trying to be someone else, but being a guard who can get others involved, create for himself, and lead.
Being someone who understands the program, helping the new guys get acclimated, getting the team going quickly—that’s the focus. Last year we had to figure it out on the fly. This year we’ve got a head start.
Peter Ariz: That leads into leadership. As one of the returning guys, how are you approaching that role?
Dante Allen: I think it’s both vocal and by example. Whether it’s practice, the weight room, workouts—just helping guys, not barking at them but making sure they know they can trust me.
And then leading by example—our seniors last year did a great job setting the tone with work ethic. Coming in early, giving 100 percent in everything. That’s what I’m trying to carry forward so everyone can follow that standard.
Peter Ariz: When you’re talking to recruits or transfers about Miami, what’s your pitch?
Dante Allen: I think it starts with what we did last year—third in the ACC, ACC Tournament semifinals, second round of the NCAA Tournament. That sets a standard.
But it’s also just one year. Now it’s about building on that and showing what Miami basketball can really be. We’re still building toward becoming a powerhouse. The guys coming in can be a big part of that—laying the foundation and being the reason we get there.
Peter Ariz: Talk about your relationship with Shelton and how you guys are pushing each other as returning pieces.
Dante Allen: The biggest thing is we never really looked at ourselves as freshmen. We wanted to have a real impact, and I think we did that.
Now we’re back as two of the guys Coach Lucas wanted here as core pieces. It’s about leading—on and off the court—and continuing to grow. When people think of Miami basketball, they’ll think of the whole team, but they’ll also know we’ve been here and know what it takes.
Peter Ariz: Let’s talk about a couple newcomers—Acaden Lewis from Villanova and Somto Cyril from Georgia. What stands out about them?
Dante Allen: First thing is they’re excited to be here. Even on their visits, you could feel it. We were lucky to get them committed early.
Acaden is a really talented guard—arguably the best player on that Villanova team. He’s going to help us a lot in the backcourt. Somto is a big, athletic force around the rim. Offensively and defensively, he gives you an advantage. Having him is huge for us.
Peter Ariz: And Caleb Gaskins, a local guy you’re familiar with—what does he bring?
Dante Allen: Caleb is one of the most talented players I’ve played with. He understands the game, he’s tough, plays the right way. He can impact the game in a lot of ways—scoring, connecting, making the right plays.
Having someone like that only makes us better, and I’m excited to see how he grows through the summer and into the season.
Peter Ariz: Last one—what’s your message to Canes fans heading into next season?
Dante Allen: I think last year set the standard. Now it’s about building on it.
The environments at Watsco—North Carolina, Louisville, Florida State—those were some of the best I’ve ever played in. Even that last Louisville game, it hurt not just because we lost, but because we knew we wouldn’t be in that environment again.
I hope fans come back even stronger next year. What you’ll see will be a step up. We’re excited, we’re going to put in the work this summer and fall, and there’s a lot to look forward to. As always—go Canes.
Peter Ariz: Dante Allen, you heard it. Canes fans, get out to the Watsco Center next season. Appreciate your time.
Dante Allen: Yes sir, appreciate you.
Peter Ariz: Dante, what a difference a year makes. Almost to the day, you committed to Miami. Just talk about your growth over the last year as a player and as a person.
Dante Allen: It’s been great. About a year ago, I committed here and felt really good about it—Coach Lucas, the pieces around him, the players coming in. Being able to play, learn from older guys, understand the ropes of college basketball, and just get thrown into it—it was huge. I think it was a great learning year, and now I’m excited to carry all of that into year two.
Peter Ariz: What’s it like playing for Coach Lucas? He’s said before that even before he got the job, you were a guy he wanted in his program. What’s your relationship like with him, and what’s it like playing for him?
Dante Allen: It’s great. Our relationship formed fast. After I committed, he was one of the first people to say he wanted me as part of his program when he got the job. As a kid, that’s something you want to hear—that your future head coach has that kind of belief in you.
Playing for him is great. He’s been around the game, played himself, understands the mind of a college player. He knows how guys respond, how to communicate with each individual. That helps get the best out of us, and I think it benefits the whole team.
Peter Ariz: What’s it like playing in front of your family here at home, being able to look up in the stands and see them?
Dante Allen: It means everything. The way I play, the player I’ve become, I credit a lot of that to growing up here—playing at Riviera, playing AAU in Miami. To now show that on a bigger stage in front of the whole city means a lot.
I take a lot of pride in it. When we win big games, especially ones the program hasn’t had in a while, doing that in front of people who’ve known me for years—it’s special. It’s a product of where we’re all from.
Peter Ariz: You got a big taste of it this year—starting games, NCAA Tournament run. What’s the focus for you this offseason to take your game to the next level?
Dante Allen: Just building off what I was. I had great pieces around me—Tre, Ernest—guys like that. Now it’s about stepping into more responsibility, not trying to be someone else, but being a guard who can get others involved, create for himself, and lead.
Being someone who understands the program, helping the new guys get acclimated, getting the team going quickly—that’s the focus. Last year we had to figure it out on the fly. This year we’ve got a head start.
Peter Ariz: That leads into leadership. As one of the returning guys, how are you approaching that role?
Dante Allen: I think it’s both vocal and by example. Whether it’s practice, the weight room, workouts—just helping guys, not barking at them but making sure they know they can trust me.
And then leading by example—our seniors last year did a great job setting the tone with work ethic. Coming in early, giving 100 percent in everything. That’s what I’m trying to carry forward so everyone can follow that standard.
Peter Ariz: When you’re talking to recruits or transfers about Miami, what’s your pitch?
Dante Allen: I think it starts with what we did last year—third in the ACC, ACC Tournament semifinals, second round of the NCAA Tournament. That sets a standard.
But it’s also just one year. Now it’s about building on that and showing what Miami basketball can really be. We’re still building toward becoming a powerhouse. The guys coming in can be a big part of that—laying the foundation and being the reason we get there.
Peter Ariz: Talk about your relationship with Shelton and how you guys are pushing each other as returning pieces.
Dante Allen: The biggest thing is we never really looked at ourselves as freshmen. We wanted to have a real impact, and I think we did that.
Now we’re back as two of the guys Coach Lucas wanted here as core pieces. It’s about leading—on and off the court—and continuing to grow. When people think of Miami basketball, they’ll think of the whole team, but they’ll also know we’ve been here and know what it takes.
Peter Ariz: Let’s talk about a couple newcomers—Acaden Lewis from Villanova and Somto Cyril from Georgia. What stands out about them?
Dante Allen: First thing is they’re excited to be here. Even on their visits, you could feel it. We were lucky to get them committed early.
Acaden is a really talented guard—arguably the best player on that Villanova team. He’s going to help us a lot in the backcourt. Somto is a big, athletic force around the rim. Offensively and defensively, he gives you an advantage. Having him is huge for us.
Peter Ariz: And Caleb Gaskins, a local guy you’re familiar with—what does he bring?
Dante Allen: Caleb is one of the most talented players I’ve played with. He understands the game, he’s tough, plays the right way. He can impact the game in a lot of ways—scoring, connecting, making the right plays.
Having someone like that only makes us better, and I’m excited to see how he grows through the summer and into the season.
Peter Ariz: Last one—what’s your message to Canes fans heading into next season?
Dante Allen: I think last year set the standard. Now it’s about building on it.
The environments at Watsco—North Carolina, Louisville, Florida State—those were some of the best I’ve ever played in. Even that last Louisville game, it hurt not just because we lost, but because we knew we wouldn’t be in that environment again.
I hope fans come back even stronger next year. What you’ll see will be a step up. We’re excited, we’re going to put in the work this summer and fall, and there’s a lot to look forward to. As always—go Canes.
Peter Ariz: Dante Allen, you heard it. Canes fans, get out to the Watsco Center next season. Appreciate your time.
Dante Allen: Yes sir, appreciate you.
