Lavoy Allen is taking his talents to France.The former Temple standout, who was selected 50th overall in the secondround of this year's NBA draft, signed a contract with Strasbourg IG inFrance’s Pro A division. Allen has an opt-out clause if and when the NBAlockout is resolved.If the lockout ends, Allen will return to Philadelphia and pursue hisdream of being a Sixer. Because Allen was a second-round pick, he isn’tguaranteed to make the roster. Instead, he must try out in training campand hope to earn a contract.“The NBA is my dream,” said Allen, who plans on leaving for France inlate August, “so if the opportunity comes, and the lockout ends, I willopt out.”Allen said his biggest fear about playing in France is the languagebarrier. But he is mostly looking forward to “being in a new country”and “competing against other professionals.”Allen is mildly upset the lockout has affected his plans, but he is still happy that he’ll be playing pro basketball.“It does kind of stink a little bit,” Allen said about the lockout. “ButI’m still going to be playing basketball, which is something I love todo. It gives me a chance to experience a new culture. It’s more of achance for me to become a man and mature, and I’m ready to take on thatchallenge.”
