Lance Allred - College Career

College Career

Allred saw limited action as a freshman at Utah. He played in just 17 games, averaging 2.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in only 5.6 minutes per game. The following season (2001–02), his playing time increased slightly, but he continued to struggle. At the end of his sophomore year, he transferred to Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. After transferring, Allred accused Utah coach Rick Majerus of constant verbal abuse, usually focused on Allred's hearing impairment. Allred told The Salt Lake Tribune that Majerus had once said: "Lance, you've weaseled yourself through life using your hearing as an excuse. You're a disgrace to cripples. If I was a cripple in a wheelchair and saw you play basketball, I'd shoot myself." Two other Utah players confirmed some of what Allred claimed, but two assistant coaches said they never heard it. Majerus denied the allegations while describing the statements as "extremely insensitive." An investigation concluded that Majerus did not discriminate against Allred.

Allred found new hope and motivation at Weber State. With increased playing time as a junior, he averaged 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for the Wildcats. He worked hard in the offseason, building enough muscle to increase his weight from 240 pounds to about 270. His senior year (2004–05) was spectacular: he led his team with 17.7 points and 12.0 rebounds per game. He ranked third in the nation in rebounding, trailing only Paul Millsap and Andrew Bogut. He almost single-handedly carried Weber State to the championship game of the Big Sky Conference Tournament (where the Wildcats lost by two points) . For his efforts, he was named First Team All-Big Sky and also First Team All-Utah by the Deseret News.

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