The ISU men’s basketball team announced the addition of a new player Friday, Aug. 20.

Former Michigan State shooting guard Chris Allen signed a financial aid agreement to attend Iowa State University on Friday afternoon. Under NCAA rules, Allen will redshirt this season and become eligible for the 2011-12 season.

“Chris is a very versatile perimeter player who will make an immediate impact to our program when he becomes eligible,” said ISU coach Fred Hoiberg in a news release. “I have had numerous talks with coach [Tom] Izzo about Chris, and he has had nothing but positive things to say about him as a person and a player. Chris is an outstanding shooter, a great athlete and he proved to be an outstanding defender in his time at Michigan State.”

Allen has been a part of Michigan State’s last two Final Four teams, having led the Spartans both seasons in 3-point shots made, while averaging 8.2 points and two assists per game.

Allen will become the sixth transfer player to join the team since last season, joining Royce White, DeMarcus Phillips, Anthony Booker, Chris Babb, Darion “Jake” Anderson and freshmen Jordan Railey, Melvin Ejim, Eric McKnight and Calvin Godfrey.

“I chose Iowa State because it felt like the right place for me, much like Michigan State did when I came out of high school,” Allen said in the release. “It has a great family atmosphere that makes it feel like home. I was really impressed with coach Hoiberg and the rest of the coaching staff. They can provide me with the opportunity to continue to pursue my dream of playing in the NBA.

“When you look at the other players that are joining the team, it’s exciting to be part of the new program that coach Hoiberg is building in the strong Big 12 Conference.”