By: Kylan Watson

2016 adds another NBA great to the retirement list, as Ray Allen joins Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett in announcing that he officially retires from the game of basketball. Allen played in the NBA for 19 seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle Supersonics, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat. Allen had one of the purest shots in the game of basketball, and is the best three-point shooter in league history.

Allen has not been seen on an NBA court since the 2013-2014 NBA season, when his Miami Heat lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals. Allen holds the record for most three-point jump shots made in NBA history. He has hit 2,973 three-pointers. The only current player that might hit more three-pointers than Allen is Stephon Curry. Curry has hit 1,673 three pointers.

Allen is not only known for his jump shot, but also his iconic role as Jesus Shuttlesworth in the Spike Lee Film, “He Got Game” Allen played one of the most sought after high school players in the sport of basketball.

Allen also is remembered for saving the Miami Heat’s season in 2014, hitting the game-tying shot. Allen hit a three-point shot falling away and made it. That shot helped the Heat claim a Game 6 victory, and eventually beat the Spurs in Game 7 of the 2014 Finals.

As a basketball fan, it is very sad that Allen called it a career, but unsurprising as we have not seen him on a basketball court in two years. As a young basketball fan, I remember watching Allen during his career as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.  Allen really put a lot of work into his jump shot and you could tell, even as a fan. Allen’s shot was so pure, and when I was younger I wanted to have a jump shot just like it. It is unfortunate that Allen could not find a role on an NBA franchise, and the basketball world is an emptier place, without Allen.