BREAKING NEWS: Lance Stephenson Commits to Cincinnati
Words. Andrew Katz
If you said that Lance Stephenson, the first four-time NYC champion (along with classmate Buddha Ellis), was going to commit to Cincinnati a year ago, people would have called you crazy. But that’s exactly what just happened.
After months of hearing that he was headed to St. John’s, Maryland, Memphis, Arizona, or even Florida, Cincinnati popped out of nowhere to snare Lance.
“They’ve decided. He’s off to Cincinnati,” said a source close to the family with direct knowledge of the decision. “It’s a done deal. I am certain of this.”
The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Stephenson and his family took an official visit to Cincinnati this past weekend, and by all accounts, it went well. He played pickup with the team and toured the campus.
There is no Bob Huggins to draw Lance in to UC. The legacy of Kenyon Martin, Steve Logan and Danny Fortson is long gone. So a lot of people are left scratching their head as to why Stephenson would make this decision.
But as we alluded to when we first heard the rumor, it might not be the worst decision after all is said and done. The Big East is down as a whole. Cinci has a talented sophomore big man in Yancy Gates, with whom Lance could create a formidable one-two punch. If that creates a situation in which these Bearcats make it into the Tournament – and maybe even win a game or two – he comes out as a sure-fire Top 10 pick.
Even if Cinci finishes at the bottom of the Big East, Lance could still end up in the lottery in the 2010 draft.
Source: Sporting News
I’m just glad SOME school gave him a chance! He’s very talented and deserves to have the chance to take his game to the next level….congratulations Lance and good luck!