BY Ian Begley AND Mark Lelinwalla
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITERS
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITERS
Story Link
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/high_school/2009/06/18/2009-06-18_choices_fading_for_lance_stephenson.html
Lincoln HS basketball star Lance Stephenson is slowly running out of options.
Maryland is no longer recruiting the Coney Island standout, a source close to Terrapins coach Gary Williams has confirmed. Lincoln HS coach Dwayne Morton says "Memphis has been calling" and remains interested. Arizona and playing in Europe also remain options.
As of Wednesday night, Lance Stephenson Sr. had no knowledge that Maryland has stopped recruiting his son.
"As far as we know Maryland is still an option," the father said.
But if Maryland is out of the picture, the elder Stephenson vows that everything will be OK. "There are 20,00 schools out there. That's just one," he said.
The Maryland source says the return of guard Greivis Vasquez for his senior year is not a factor in Maryland's decision-making nor are concerns about Stephenson's sexual assault case stemming from an incident on Oct. 3.
Instead, the decision is said to be more over Stephenson's amateur status and compliance with the NCAA.
There have been rumors of NCAA violations surrounding Stephenson's "Born Ready" reality television series. Eyebrows have also been raised over an alleged relationship between the family and Under Armour athletic underwear. Lance Stephenson Sr. dismisses both.
"There is no compliance issues," he said. "Lance will be good. The people from 'Born Ready' did the documentary in compliance with the NCAA."
Just two weeks ago, the elder Stephenson praised Williams and his coaching staff at Maryland.
Meanwhile, Lance Stephenson and Lincoln teammate Darwin Ellis are scheduled to appear in Brooklyn Criminal Court on June 29 to face a sexual assault hearing after being charged with groping a 17-year-old girl last October.
Stephenson's attorney, Alberto Ebanks, has said that the case could be dismissed or a plea bargain could be reached before the court date. Stephenson is the only player on ESPN's Top 100 list of national recruits who hasn't picked a college.
Brandon Jennings, who is projected to be a first-round pick in next week's NBA draft after playing one full season in Europe, believes Stephenson should follow his lead by skipping college and playing overseas. After working out for the Knicks on Monday, Jennings said he thinks Europe would humble Stephenson.
Lincoln HS basketball star Lance Stephenson is slowly running out of options.
Maryland is no longer recruiting the Coney Island standout, a source close to Terrapins coach Gary Williams has confirmed. Lincoln HS coach Dwayne Morton says "Memphis has been calling" and remains interested. Arizona and playing in Europe also remain options.
As of Wednesday night, Lance Stephenson Sr. had no knowledge that Maryland has stopped recruiting his son.
"As far as we know Maryland is still an option," the father said.
But if Maryland is out of the picture, the elder Stephenson vows that everything will be OK. "There are 20,00 schools out there. That's just one," he said.
The Maryland source says the return of guard Greivis Vasquez for his senior year is not a factor in Maryland's decision-making nor are concerns about Stephenson's sexual assault case stemming from an incident on Oct. 3.
Instead, the decision is said to be more over Stephenson's amateur status and compliance with the NCAA.
There have been rumors of NCAA violations surrounding Stephenson's "Born Ready" reality television series. Eyebrows have also been raised over an alleged relationship between the family and Under Armour athletic underwear. Lance Stephenson Sr. dismisses both.
"There is no compliance issues," he said. "Lance will be good. The people from 'Born Ready' did the documentary in compliance with the NCAA."
Just two weeks ago, the elder Stephenson praised Williams and his coaching staff at Maryland.
Meanwhile, Lance Stephenson and Lincoln teammate Darwin Ellis are scheduled to appear in Brooklyn Criminal Court on June 29 to face a sexual assault hearing after being charged with groping a 17-year-old girl last October.
Stephenson's attorney, Alberto Ebanks, has said that the case could be dismissed or a plea bargain could be reached before the court date. Stephenson is the only player on ESPN's Top 100 list of national recruits who hasn't picked a college.
Brandon Jennings, who is projected to be a first-round pick in next week's NBA draft after playing one full season in Europe, believes Stephenson should follow his lead by skipping college and playing overseas. After working out for the Knicks on Monday, Jennings said he thinks Europe would humble Stephenson.
No comments:
Post a Comment