Miami forward Marcus Allen says he is cancer-free after seven months of treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a welcome update for the Hurricanes and for a player whose first season back home was cut short by illness.
Allen made the announcement in an Instagram post on June 30, writing, "CANCER FREE!! Nothing but God!" He also thanked his family, teammates and supporters who were with him through chemotherapy.
The 6-foot-7 Miami native was diagnosed in December after playing in eight games during the 2025-26 season. Miami said on Dec. 19 that Allen would miss the rest of the year and had started chemotherapy. Before stepping away from basketball, he was averaging 18.9 minutes, 5.3 points and 3.1 rebounds.
The diagnosis came during Allen’s first year with the Hurricanes after he transferred home from Missouri. He had played 26 games as a freshman for the Tigers before Jai Lucas signed him in April of 2025, bringing a former Miami Norland standout back to South Florida. Allen helped Miami Norland win the 2024 FHSAA Class 5A state championship and was a consensus four-star prospect out of high school.
Support for Allen stayed visible throughout the season. During Miami’s March game against Louisville, program legend Jack McClinton ran a halftime 3-point contest, with $100 donated to Allen’s GoFundMe for every shot McClinton made.
Allen also stayed around the program while he was away from the court. He attended Miami’s NCAA Tournament run and has since returned to full practices this offseason as the Hurricanes get ready for the 2026-27 season.
For Miami, the news is bigger than basketball. Allen is back on the path toward the court after a fight that mattered far more than the game itself.
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