Lance Stephenson - SF - Abraham Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/11001288/2

• Lance Stephenson

Stephenson broke onto the national scene three summers ago when he battled O.J. Mayo at the ABCD Camp. Immediately, his talent was noticeable. But so was his attitude, and the latter has seemed to overshadow the former in recent years. That's why many of the elite schools have moved on, because they're not interested in dealing with the circus that could follow Stephenson to campus. But again, he's a talented dude. And if the New Yorker proves to be coachable he'll be a huge coup for anybody, especially if that anybody is his hometown school.

Where is Stephenson headed?

Telep: St. John's
Daniels: St. John's

I watched episodes 1-20 of the Born Ready Documentary its pretty good. Lance is just a kid and I think people tend to forget that. I really want to see this kid in a St. John's uniform it would be awesome on so many levels.

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/11001288/2

• Lance Stephenson

Stephenson broke onto the national scene three summers ago when he battled O.J. Mayo at the ABCD Camp. Immediately, his talent was noticeable. But so was his attitude, and the latter has seemed to overshadow the former in recent years. That's why many of the elite schools have moved on, because they're not interested in dealing with the circus that could follow Stephenson to campus. But again, he's a talented dude. And if the New Yorker proves to be coachable he'll be a huge coup for anybody, especially if that anybody is his hometown school.

Where is Stephenson headed?

Telep: St. John's
Daniels: St. John's

Hopefully, Vaccaro doesn't persuade him to go to Europe.

Honestly, if I was a high school All American, i would be on my way to Europe.  College is fun, but when your family is in a tough financial situation like a lot of these guys' families are, it's very hard to turn down the money.

Honestly, if I was a high school All American, i would be on my way to Europe.  College is fun, but when your family is in a tough financial situation like a lot of these guys' families are, it's very hard to turn down the money.

No doubt.
Y'all see this gonna be the biggest trend in high school hoops 'less the NCAA or NBA change some of them rules.

Honestly, if I was a high school All American, i would be on my way to Europe.  College is fun, but when your family is in a tough financial situation like a lot of these guys' families are, it's very hard to turn down the money.

I am sorry. .  I totally disagree here...

It will be a trend for the kids that pay no attention to their academics and can't get through the NCAA Clearinghouse...?

Could you imagine an immature 19 year like Lance Stephenson on his own in Europe...?

Could you imagine an immature 19 year like Lance Stephenson on his own in Europe...?

Nah, 'cause he gonna have his whole entourage wit him. Just like the TV show 'cept wit his pops too.

Quote from: TRabinowitz on September 30, 2008, 10:40:40 PM

Honestly, if I was a high school All American, i would be on my way to Europe.  College is fun, but when your family is in a tough financial situation like a lot of these guys' families are, it's very hard to turn down the money.

I am sorry. .  I totally disagree here...

It will be a trend for the kids that pay no attention to their academics and can't get through the NCAA Clearinghouse...?

Could you imagine an immature 19 year like Lance Stephenson on his own in Europe...?

I have a really hard time believing that if there are contracts for the most talented American players, that they will be on their own.  They'll have an advisor/ part of their entourage or someone with them, depending on the salaries.  Kids are already not paying much attention to their academics - that's already a trend.  And many of those kids have no interest in school.  So that other option will certainly be palatable. 

NBA should make it you can leave right out of HS, but if you go to NCAA, you have to stay for at least 2 years.

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/11001288/2

• Lance Stephenson

Stephenson broke onto the national scene three summers ago when he battled O.J. Mayo at the ABCD Camp. Immediately, his talent was noticeable. But so was his attitude, and the latter has seemed to overshadow the former in recent years. That's why many of the elite schools have moved on, because they're not interested in dealing with the circus that could follow Stephenson to campus. But again, he's a talented dude. And if the New Yorker proves to be coachable he'll be a huge coup for anybody, especially if that anybody is his hometown school.

Where is Stephenson headed?

Telep: St. John's
Daniels: St. John's

Excellent find kjd. It's interesting that both telep and Daniels believe lance will end up signing with St. john's. These two gentleman seem to have their finger on the pulse of the national recruiting scene. Very encouraging report.

Quote from: TRabinowitz on September 30, 2008, 10:40:40 PM

Honestly, if I was a high school All American, i would be on my way to Europe.  College is fun, but when your family is in a tough financial situation like a lot of these guys' families are, it's very hard to turn down the money.

No doubt.
Y'all see this gonna be the biggest trend in high school hoops 'less the NCAA or NBA change some of them rules.

I hate to say it, but if the top 3-4 HS players went to Europe every year, the College game might be better for it.
It would open more Scholarships for lesser players who really want to go to the school.
Coaches would not have to chase the superstars.
And the one and done would become a thing of the past. 

Lance Stephenson is planning visits to Kansas and Memphis, according to Hassani Stewart, Stephenson’s coach with the Raising Champions AAU team.

“We don’t have anything concrete,” Stewart said by phone. “We’re planning on visiting Memphis and Kansas. We’re looking at Oct. 15 or 17 for Kansas. I have to talk to (head coach) Bill Self and (assistant) Joe Dooley. Memphis we’re definitely not sure. We’re supposed to go down for their Midnight Madness (Oct. 17).

“What’s throwing us off is this iS8 stuff.”

The iS8 playoffs begin Oct. 7.

Kansas is also hosting its “Late Night in the Phog” event Oct. 17, and Dominic Cheek of St. Anthony of Jersey City may well attend.

Stewart said Stephenson also considered visiting USC for the Ohio State football game on Sept. 13 but “decided not to go on the trip.”

Stephenson is also considering USC and UCLA.

“We’re trying to get three visits in prior to the start of the (high school) season,” Stewart said.

Whatever happens, Lance won’t decide until the spring.

“After the season,” Stewart said.

As far as academics, Stephenson has taken the PSAT and his “grades are on track” to be academically eligible, Stewart said.

The coach added that Stephenson wants to play in college, not go overseas or to the Army, options which he and his father have mentioned.

“He really wants to go to college,” Stewart said. “He’s still a kid. He’s a ballplayer and he wants to perform. He doesn’t want any special treatment.”

Stephenson recently had an in-home visit with St. John’s head coach Norm Roberts and assistant Fred Quartlebaum, and followed that up with an unofficial visit to Queens for the the St. John’s Midnight Madness event.

Stewart said Stephenson would have to decide whether he wants to remain close to home for college or leave the watchful eye of his family.

“The deciding factor right now is A) does he want to go away; or B) does he want to stay home,” Stewart said.

“If he stays home, you have to deal with the media at St. John’s and he’s going to have a lot of pressure on him here. I don’t think that scares him. Will it scare him more being away from home, or dealing with the pressure (of New York City)?”

Stewart said Stephenson has admiration for all the college coaches involved.

“They’re all great coaches and all great schools,” he said.

Stewart added that Stephenson learned from his experience this summer in which he was cut from the USA U18 team, and hoped to enjoy his senior season with his teammates. Lincoln is pursuing its fourth straight PSAL title.

“He’s taken the constructive criticism,” he said. “He wants to be positive with his teammates, minimize his antics, smile more and enjoy his last year of high school because once it’s over, it’s over.”

that Memphis visit is gonna be something

that Memphis visit is gonna be something

$omething?

NBA should make it you can leave right out of HS, but if you go to NCAA, you have to stay for at least 2 years.

there shouldnt be any rule of the sort...i hate to sound lame but this is america, any qualified person should be able to have any job at any time if there is someone willing to employ them

Honestly, if I was a high school All American, i would be on my way to Europe.  College is fun, but when your family is in a tough financial situation like a lot of these guys' families are, it's very hard to turn down the money.

I am not sure if I agree or disagree.

If you family is in a tough financial situation... chances are that they have been dealing with it for your whole life (18-19 years). Therefore, what is another 4 years while you get your education (for free)

If your as good as everyone thinks you are... then in 4 years you will be educated and rich. Rather than uneducated and rich.... which will most uneducated kids just blow the money on cars, jewerly, etc.

On the other hand, he can always go back to school and pay for it himself if he takes the check now. But I only can name a few players who have done this.

disagree.

there should be some rules to protect your product.  most americans are addicted to high standards.

I think that high school seniors should be able to enter, but they should make less money and have a longer contract before a supposed free agency payday. It may make kids think harder about entering the draft. And seniors should be rewarded for sticking it out.

For example, if the No. 1 pick overall is a:

senior: 3 years at $5 million per.
junior: 4 years at $3.25 million per.
sophmore: 5 years at $2.5 million per.
freshman: 6 years at 1.75 million per.
H.S. senior: 7 years at $900,000 per.

I just threw these numbers out and didn't calculate proper spacing but you get the idea.

Quote from: TRabinowitz on September 30, 2008, 10:40:40 PM

Honestly, if I was a high school All American, i would be on my way to Europe.  College is fun, but when your family is in a tough financial situation like a lot of these guys' families are, it's very hard to turn down the money.

I am not sure if I agree or disagree.

If you family is in a tough financial situation... chances are that they have been dealing with it for your whole life (18-19 years). Therefore, what is another 4 years while you get your education (for free)

If your as good as everyone thinks you are... then in 4 years you will be educated and rich. Rather than uneducated and rich.... which will most uneducated kids just blow the money on cars, jewerly, etc.

On the other hand, he can always go back to school and pay for it himself if he takes the check now. But I only can name a few players who have done this.

And what if the kid blows his knee out? Waht if a family member of the kid, god forbid, is hurt or killed while still living in a rough neighborhood when the kid could've taken the money and gotten his family out of the situation?  Very easy to downplay this stuff when people haven't walked a mile in those shoes.