Auburn signee

Allen Flanigan, a 6-6 forward for Little Rock Parkview, signed a national letter of intent Thursday to play basketball at Auburn. Wes Flanigan, Allen’s father, is a member of Auburn’s coaching staff and played for the Tigers in 1993-1997.

Auburn has once again proven to be Flanigan-friendly.

Allen Flanigan, a 6-6 forward for Little Rock Parkview, signed a national letter of intent Thursday to play basketball for the Tigers.

Wes Flanigan, Allen’s father, is currently a member of Auburn’s coaching staff and also played for the Tigers from 1993-97 where he is second all-time in career assists (573).

“It’s just like family,” said Parkview Coach Al Flanigan, Allen’s grandfather, who sported an Auburn t-shirt for Thursday’s ceremony. “[Adrian] Chilliest went down there and so did my son. I’ve always been partial to them because they gave [Wes] a chance to get a free education. He loves it down there. One of his dream jobs was to go back to Auburn.”

“It means a lot to me to go somewhere my dad played,” Allen Flanigan said. “I want to experience some of the same things he experienced while he was in college. … This was a very easy decision.”

Allen Flanigan averaged 11.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals a game last season. He helped the Patriots to a 25-8 record and to the program’s 14th state title. He scored 12 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in a 5451 victory over Mills in the championship game.

Airion Simmons, a 6-5 forward for Parkview, also signed a letter of intent Thursday to play for Abilene Christian. Simmons averaged 7.1 points and 6.6 rebounds during his junior season.

With his signing, Allen Flanigan will get the rare opportunity to be coached by his grandfather and his father.

“I can’t tell you a difference between the two,” Allen Flanigan said. “They’re both hard to play for. They’re both demanding and tough.”

“I tried to treat [Allen] like I did the others,” Al Flanigan said. “It was hard. He’s just now gotten to where he’s adjusted to it. … He took it personally, but now he’s adjusted to it. But I don’t know but one way to go and that’s all out. He’s done an excellent job of adjusting to me. After we leave [the gymnasium], we don’t take it home.”

In other signings Thursday: ■ Marcedus Leech, a 6-5 guard from Jonesboro, signed with Iowa State.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/TIM COOPER Little Rock Parkview Coach Al Flanigan and grandson Allen Flanigan talk with friends and family during Allen Flanigan’s signing ceremony with Auburn.