It's June 11, college starts in a few months, and Lance Stephenson does not have a school to attend. He's also ranked #12 in the ESPNU Top 100. In off the court problems, he's #1. Stephenson and a teammate are accused of groping a high school student outside of Brooklyn's Lincoln High School in October of last year. The case is still pending, and he's due back in court on June 29th. Normally that wouldn't keep most college coaches from going after him, but there's more. Supposedly he's a cancer in the locker room, which may be the reason why he was booted off USA Basktball's Under-18 Team last summer. Chemistry was cited as an issue. Still, for one year we can work around that right? Well, there's more. Stephenson has affiliations with Under Armour and as a junior was featured on a web-based reality series that featured his life on and off the court. He was featured on a docmentary Gunnin' For That #1 Spot. Why is this a problem? Rumor has it the NCAA wants to make an example of him and take away his eligibility for being promoted outside of high school. Why? Nobody knows why the NCAA does anything it does, such as institute the NBA rule of no charging calls under the basket this year. Maybe it's a good rule, but they rushed ahead and implemented it for this next season without putting in archs in the paint. So now, it's a judgment call by the referees. Well that's just great, make the most non-absolute call in basketball even more...non-absolute. Back to Stephenson. With all of these affiliations comes in-depth investigations by the NCAA, which could find...anything. Stephenson does have four options at this point: Memphis, Maryland, FIU, and Europe. According to Rivals, we've offered him a scholarship. Almost nobody is recruiting this kid. Do the Memphis fans want him here?
P.S. Don't forget to vote in the poll.
15 comments:
There won't be any Dozier allegations. The first SAT he took was flagged, the one he used to get into Memphis was legit. Mack had that same problem. The difference with DRose is the SAT he may have cheated on was the one that allowed him into school.
We don't want him. Lance is all about Lance on the court. The other four guys just get in his way.
Seems Like this kid is being blamed for all that's wrong with HS basketball. The world is hungry for another Lebron he fits the bill.
GUILTY TIL PROVEN. This time last yr this Kid was on top of the world . It seems to me sense he tried out for USA JR TEAM NIKE & THE MEDIA RIPPED HIM APART. I THINK HE WAS CUT BEFORE HE TRIED OUT . LET'S KEEP IT REAL HERE !!!!! THE TEAM LOST & KNOWONE TALKS ABOUT THAT . WITH HIM ON THE TEAM THEY WIN THE GOLD
I can still be for his recruitment despite the allegations of him groping a girl, thats immature high school stuff that he's just going to have to grow out of. But when people attest that he is a cancer in the locker room, I can no longer support his coming to Memphis. As much talent as he has, it is not greater than the combined talent of this team. We want the right players, not necessarily the best players.
I agree. Unfortunately, the issue with Lance is that he is already in the scope of the NCAA and they're waiting to pull the trigger. They want to make an example of him. This has been a busy offseason for the NCAA and I imagine they're milking it as a "cleaning house" type of move.
I've heard a couple things about Lance being an egomaniac, but I've heard more about his dad being the cancer. His dad was mouthing off to some reporter last week (I think the interview is at zagsblog) and he sounded very defensive and overbearing.
Bottom line, Pastner brings a different vibe and with Taggart leaving, the Memphis team has a chance for a much different attitude in the locker room. I don't think Lance is worth risking that for one season.
Quick question
Was Taggart a bad infuence in the locker room?
Didnt get this vibe until recently with the whole facebook and his reason for signing an agent
Momo Jones is now interested in Memphis, Arizona, and Florida. I would much rather take him of Lance. We would have a true pg.
I dont think Tag was a bad influence in the locker room at all. He got along well with everybody and it was only until after the Cal situation and a few people dogging his NBA decision where he kinda got an attitude, and rightly so.
His dad ?come on with that . Did U read the interview with zags or U guys just going buy what the blogers are saying ? He's sounds like he wants this over as well . Its tuff when everyone wants to be in the mix . Plus coaches are reading the blogs as well . I'm almost sure The kid was set to anounce kansas but the snake bill self took the offer back for henry . Who bye the way I'm hearing is headed overseas. That would be funny if that's the case & I would bet the snake would jump back in the mix . U memphis fans wish U could get a player like Lance . He didn't like memphis when CAL the other snake was there . What makes U think he would go there with the Little KID U have coaching there now . Memphis is a joke . Thank god evans made it out . Memphis won't win the confrence this yr . Bet that
i want to hear what this kid has to say now. last year he was on top of the world and now he is not being heavily recruited because of his ridiculous behavior. I wonder if this has hit home with him yet? people change and great coaches (pastner) can invest in these players and let them know how to be team players. So is Lance aware of what his behavior has done? If so, maybe he is ready for a change and maybe Pastner can be that change.
i missed anon's post above me......we will most definitely win the conference. i dont know if you know this but we have a couple of "OK" (ok= ridiculously good) players that played great in the ncaa tourney last year....have you heard of that tournament? I am assuming you are a Kentucky fan, how did your team do in the tournament last year?
No...I don't think he is a Kensucky fan becuase he bad mouthed X Coach. Their fans would let him rape them in the butt and still he think he is a king. I was thinking he has to be one of those Vol fans, who else would be dumb enough to make fun of another program while making himself look like an ignorant inbred. For the past nine years we have had some of the best players in the country come to play here. We will continue to get those players as Coach Pastner has demonstrated with the commitment of the Barton brothers. We are lucky we don't have an idoit like you as a fan.
LaMont "Momo" Jones would be a great player to land if he can get his release from USC. He's ranked #11 in point guards and a 4 star prospect. I read a report that USC could release Jones with the stipulation that he does not attend another PAC-10 school. That would put us against Florida, bettering our odds.
i agree dacus...momo, noel johnson or james beatty would all be a better choice than stephenson. one concern that hasn't been mentioned yet is that a strong, difficult personality could present problems for a young, first-time head coach. lute olsen was quoted as saying that he thought pastner would be a great hc, but he was concerned with his ability to handle a dominant, anti-authority personality.
That's where I think Tag leaving helps. Parrish and Wolken have both mentioned that Tag griped a lot in the locker room. You can almost see that in his game, he was so inconsistent for a lot of his time here.
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