Talk about taking advantage of an off season.

Chatham-Kent native Maxwell Allin of the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks is coming into the 2013-2014 season in top basketball shape with a plan to take the Golden Hawks back to the playoffs. After a grueling season of adjustments, the Golden Hawks finished with an 8-13 record, despite big numbers from Max and his fellow sniper Will Couthard.

Allin lead the nation in scoring averaging 23.2 points, to go along with 9.4 rebounds (11th) and 4.6 assists (12th).

What the CIS is about to see this season is a new Max Allin. He invested time in the weight room over the summer and it has translated to lean muscle development and increased agility. This Golden Hawk is one season away from a professional contract.

Max Allin has made tremendous progress over the summer and this will show in his final season.

I spotted Allin at the King Fee Classic at the end of the summer and had almost not recognized him. After four months of off-season training he has turned the page from a physical standpoint, further distinguishing himself for the upcoming season.

“I dedicated a lot of time in the weight room and focused on getting stronger,” Allin Told NPH, while also referencing a very strict diet.

Coming into his final year of eligibility, Max Allin is looking like a legitimate professional prospect who will be suiting up somewhere overseas in years to come. His body language, physical shape and new offensive moves are an indication of great progress after a successful season from an individual standpoint.

Numbers and results never lie and Max puts up numbers. His production has been on an incline since freshman season as illustrated in the chart below. Being the leading scorer in the CIS holds a lot of weight, but once you take into account the other categories where he contributes, this Golden Hawk’s stock shoots up. From his first year at Laurier up until this previous season he has climbed in all statistical categories.

Numbers Don’t Lie

	GP	PTS/G	FG%	3PT%	FT%	REB/G	A/G
2009-2010	22	11.5	37.2	36.9	70.9	7.9	1.5
2010-2011	22	14.3	39.6	33.9	75	6.8	6
2011-2012	22	15.1	38.4	32.5	73	6.1	5.4
2012-2013	19	23.2	41.7	38.1	81.3	9.4	4.6

 

Allin is entirely focused on getting back to the playoffs and helping his teammates get comfortable in their roles. The pride factor is absent as Allin’s selflessness has him involved with the development of the rookies on his team; signs of leadership qualities have always been evident.

Most recently he has taken incoming recruit Jack Simmons under his wing as his training partner in the weight room.

Simmons was a highly recruited prospect out of Galt Collegiate in Cambridge, with versatility on the offensive end, and a high ceiling in the CIS considering he adds muscle mass.

Allin has high hopes for the freshman forward.

“Coach loves giving rookies opportunities to prove themselves…Jack will take full advantage.”

In his four years at Laurier, Max Allin has racked up individual accolades and consistently built upon contribution from a statistical perspective.

Accolades

• School record for scoring – 43pts
• 2009-2010: OUA West All Rookie Team
• 2010-2011: OUA Second Team All-Star
• 2011-2012: OUA Second Team All-Star
• 2012-2013: OUA First Team All-Star

Following his university career, Allin will have a resume that demands attention from pro teams overseas, already garnering interest from Australia.

However, Allin’s recent physical transformation has raised his stock as a professional prospect. This not only helps his individual career; but elevates chances for the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks to get to the playoffs.

“I believe we will be strong enough for one of the top spots in the West,” said Allin.

As for the next step in his basketball career?

“I know I can play at the professional level.”