Lance Stephenson
Photo by Lonnie Webb
According to a
report by Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv (SportsNet New York), New York City hoops star Lance Stephenson will play for head coach Mick Cronin at the University of Cincinnati.
Stephenson, a 6-foot-5 guard with a power forward build, helped Lincoln High School of Brooklyn win four-straight Public School Athlete League (PSAL) titles and finished his career as one of the state’s most highly-decorated hoopsters.
The Railsplitter star poured in a state-record 2,946 points and averaged over 30 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior. He was ranked No. 4 overall in the 2009 class by the MaxPreps High School Basketball Report.
“It’s incredible that he is the state’s all-time scoring leader when you think about all the great players that have come from there and have held records,” MaxPreps.com senior writer Dave Krider said. “It’s an amazing milestone.”
Stephenson was also a magnet for controversy throughout his four-year run in high school. He is currently seeking resolution to a to a sexual assault case and will be in court July 15 for the start of a criminal trial, according to the Daily News.
A web-based reality show, a January 2008 school suspension for fighting and questions regarding his amateur status also brought negative attention. Major college programs began steering away from the mega-talent.
Despite a fourth PSAL title, his senior year on the court was somewhat disappointing as the storied Lincoln program lost 11 games – including a 27-point blowout at the hands of Rice to end his career.
“His individual legacy was hurt by the team this year,” Krider said. “He was the go-to guy and if the team played poorly, that reflected on him. Their schedule was a killer and I give them credit for trying to play all those great teams, but kids just get worn out sometimes.”
In recent months, Arizona, Maryland, Memphis and even Florida International were all reported to be players for his services, but none of those relationships materialized.
Stephenson will join a cast at Cincinnati that returns three double-digit scorers from a year ago in senior-to-be Deonta Vaughn (15.3 points per game) and sophomores Dion Dixon (11.6) and Yancy Gates (10.6).
“If he is eligible and plays at Cincinnati that’s great for them, but he is going to be a one-and-done player,” Krider said. “It’s still a big coup for them to get a player of his caliber.”
Fellow Empire State product Sean Kilpatrick of White Plains High School signed with the Bearcats last November. Cronin also added Virginia Player of the Year Jaquon Parker (Kings Fork) in early June.
