Tennessee Basketball legend Allan Houston is officially an NBA Champion. Allan currently serves as the VP of Player Leadership & Development for the New York Knicks’ championship-winning organization.
Houston was able to attend the Knicks’ closeout Game 5 contest on Saturday night in San Antonio and was able to celebrate with his players, organization, and even former teammate Patrick Ewing. Houston and Ewing helped the Knicks reach the NBA Finals in 1999, but fell to the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
After more than 25 years of waiting, Houston was able to see his Knicks avenge his ’99 team’s shortcomings and defeat the same team that originally beat them, both in just five games.
Allan Houston: “Talk to me Big Fella”
Patrick Ewing: “Let’s go Knicks! Let’s go Knicks!”
Houston: “Talk to me Big FELLAAAAAA”
Patrick: “99, it’s over. It’s ours now!” pic.twitter.com/NVkd74CcUx
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 14, 2026
More From RTI: Throwback – Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield Combine For 36 Points Against Jalen Brunson’s College Team
Houston, a native of Louisville, KY, played at Tennessee from 1989-1993. By the time he wrapped up his career in Knoxville, Houston was a legend for the Big Orange. He was a one-time SEC Tournament MVP, an SEC All-Freshman Team selection (1990), a four-time First Team All-SEC selection (90-93), and a three-time Third Team All-American selection.
To this day, Houston still holds Tennessee Basketball’s all-time records in points (2,801), minutes played (4,606), free throws (651), and field goals (902).
He was the 11th overall draft pick in the 1993 NBA Draft, a 12-year NBA veteran, an Olympic Gold Medalist in the 2000 games, and had his Tennessee jersey officially retired in 2011.
Allan’s father, Wade Houston, was the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers from 1989 to 1994. He was UT’s first African American head coach in program history and the first African American head coach of a basketball team in the Southeastern Conference.
To recognize Wade Houston’s legacy, Tennessee and head coach Rick Barnes enshrined a Wade Houston Leadership Award within the program. Past winners include Yves Pons, Admiral Schofield, Josiah-Jordan James, and Zakai Zeigler.
Here’s a look at some of the Houston’s memorable highlights at the University of Tennessee:
