Allen Flanigan returns to Auburn basketball practice after brief time away
AUBURN – Allen Flanigan returned to Auburn basketball practice on Monday, October 10, and is good to go moving forward as the Tigers prepare for their opener on November 7 against George Mason.
Head coach Bruce Pearl confirmed the news on Wednesday while speaking to the media prior to Auburn’s Pro Day. Flanigan has been absent from the team since September 26 due to “personal” and “family” reasons, according to Pearl.
Everyone on the Auburn basketball roster is now healthy and practicing, with the exception of freshman Chance Westry. The standout guard had minor knee surgery last week and will be out around six weeks. Sources inside the program considered Westry one of the best players during Auburn’s foreign trip to Israel.
Following Flanigan’s decision to return after flirting with the NBA Draft process, he told Auburn Live, “getting the feedback and realizing that I can possibly be going in the second round, but coming back to school, better myself, have a healthy season, and improve my draft stock.”
The Arkansas native was a Coaches’ Preseason All-SEC First Team selection prior to last season, but that was before Flanigan injured his Achilles and underwent offseason surgery. Flanigan only played 22 games as a result and didn’t return until essentially SEC play.
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He just recently returned to 100 percent health.
Expectations will be high for Flanigan to return to his sophomore form that saw him score 14 points, grab five boards, and dish out three assists per game. In league play, Flanigan’s averaged nearly 15 points and six boards per game two seasons ago.
Flanigan raised his points per game +11.1 points from his freshman to sophomore seasons.
Last season, the Tigers’ forward never fully found his stride on the offensive end. Recovering from the injury, along with meshing with new teammates across the board, stunted Flanigan’s growth.
Auburn needs Flanigan healthy and confident for the upcoming season in order to compete for another SEC championship.
“I’m going to work every day. When we lace up those sneakers in the fall, I want to be a problem on the floor. I want to get back to myself, but better,” he said.
