Miami Heat sharp shooter, Ray Allen, has only a few years left in his career, if any, but has already figured out what he plans to do to keep himself busy during his retirement.
He plans to take his talents to the silver screen.
In 1998, Allen was a young shooting guard finishing up his second season in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks, and was already starring in a feature film as Jesus Shuttlesworth in Spike Lee's "He Got Game", the story of a high school superstar, his recruitment (including from the NBA), and his tortured relationship with his father.
Too much of a surprise, Allen held his own in the rest of the film, especially in his high-intensity interactions with Denzel Washington. He was well-regarded for his work, if not exactly praised as a better actor than athlete.
After his first film, Allen mostly quit acting, but according to Chris Tomasson for FoxSports.com, he plans to make his return when he retires from the NBA:
"Oh, yes," Allen said when asked if wants to act. "It's just something that's going to keep me busy and something that can challenge you and keep you focused on a daily basis.''
Not that Allen needed convincing he could go from NBA to screen star, but it sure didn't hurt when he ran into Leonardo DiCaprio a few years ago in Las Vegas.
DiCaprio was said to have liked "He Got Game." He told Allen he should pursue acting when he retires.
"DiCaprio, he's a basketball fan,'' said Allen, the most prolific 3-point marksman in NBA history and a certain Hall of Famer. "He's a Lakers fan from growing up in L.A. I was hanging out with him in Vegas, and he definitely told me to keep trying and keep going. A lot of people have told me that I should keep going.''
Below is the trailer from Spike Lee's "He Got Game" starring Ray Allen:
