“I’m very thankful for this moment,” Tony Allen said as his jersey no. 9 went into raftors. The Grizzlies’ legend received the massive honor as his friends and fans watched him with pride. He is the third player to have his jersey retired by the franchise. No one embodied the grit-and-grind vibe as much as Allen, and he too was embraced by the Grizzlies fans with open arms. He continues to live in Memphis. And this was also one of the rare times his family was in the spotlight.
Who is his wife? Does he have any kids? His family has always remained out of the public eye. Born to Ella Allen, the Chicago native has two sisters, Ebony and Dominique, and one brother. As per sources, his brother Ryan plays the same sport and played for the Grizzlies’ 2012 Summer League as well. Ryan played his first NBA game with the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.
This matchup was also special since it was the first time Ryan got to face his brother on the court. It was a very brief moment, but regardless, Ryan was thrilled to have the opportunity. “It felt unreal first as I was backpedaling. Backpedaling, I thought I was going to fall, then it got real. It was a great feeling to be out with my brother. Watching him play all these years, to be here at this stage is big,” Ryan said (as per ESPN) about the game.
“It was awesome. It was really awesome. I was like on 10. To see both of my babies out there on the floor together, I’m like, what an accomplishment, the greatest accomplishment you can make. I never even fathomed (that would happen.) I never even thought this would happen on nobody’s earth. I just never thought it would happen, but it did. I thank God for it. It was awesome,” their mother Ella, who was supporting both her sons, said.
Bildnummer: 05253970 Datum: 12.12.2009 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI
12 December 2009: Boston Celtics guard Tony Allen brings the ball upcourt during the Boston Celtics 106-80 win over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon483091212064; Basketball Herren usa NBA Chicago Aktion Einzelbild vdig xsp 2009 quer
Image number 05253970 date 12 12 2009 Copyright imago Icon Smi 12 December 2009 Boston Celtics Guard Tony all of them Brings The Ball upcourt during The Boston Celtics 106 80 Win Over The Chicago Bulls AT The United Center in Chicago Illinois USA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon483091212064 Basketball men USA NBA Chicago Action shot Single Vdig 2009 horizontal
During Allen’s jersey retirement ceremony, the basketball legend was accompanied by his wife and children. He is married to Desiree Allen and has two kids. While there are very few glimpses of Allen with his wife and kids, the family likes to stay out of the spotlight. Not much is known about Desiree. But it was a big day for Allen, so the family had to be present and support him.
Former NBA player pay homage to Tony Allen’s Jersey retirement
The first two players to have their jerseys retired by the franchise are Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. Both were present for the Memphis Grizzlies‘ star, nicknamed the Grindfather. He was a key player for the team when he joined as a free agent in 2010. He continued to show his defensive prowess for the next seven years with the team.
Well known for his defensive brilliance, he earned All-Defensive honors six times. Even the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant acknowledged him as one of the toughest defenders. Kendrick Perkins took to his IG to praise the former Grizzlies player and wrote, “Congratulations to my MF brother 4 life @thegrindfather9 for getting his Jersey Hung in the Rafters!!! Best Perimeter Defender I’ve ever seen.”
Unlike those who thrive on scoring, he had unique skills and excelled on the defensive end. Allen was all about making an impact where he was needed the most!
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