Enigmatic Lance Making Headlines
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lance Stephenson may be the most talented player at the USA U18 National Team Trials, but he is also the most enigmatic.
The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Stephenson has mixed brilliant play, especially on the offensive end, with scowls, flashes of frustration and behavior that is viewed by the coaches as antithetical to the team concept.
On one occasion during the trials at the Verizon Center, head coach Bob McKillop pulled Stephenson aside in the middle of a scrimmage — in full view of players, coaches and the media — and whispered firmly into his ear. On another, McKillop unloaded a series of expletives in Stephenson’s face after he hissed at one of his teammates during a drill.
“I think he has a chance to be a superb, superb player,” said McKillop, the Davidson coach. “A lot of times guys with his level of talent don’t have the competitive fire that he has. But the competitive fire burns other ways, too, and if he can channel that competitive fire completely into his performance, he can be very special.”
Nolan Dennis has committed to Memphis, according to Evan Daniels of Scout.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dominic Cheek just made the first cut for the USA U18 national team that will head to Formosa, Argentina later this month, so he is not really focusing on his list of colleges just yet.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The USA U18 team cut three players Wednesday night, and they weren’t much of a surprise. Uncommitted forward Ari Stewart of Marietta, Ga.; Georgetown commit Hollis Thompson, a 6-6 forward out of Los Angeles Loyola; and Tennessee commit Kenny Hall, a 6-8 big man out of Stone Mountain Ga. Redan, were let go, paring the roster to 14. Reeves Nelson, a 6-7 UCLA commit from Modesto (Ca.) High, is injured and out of the mix as well. Head coach Bob McKillop said they will keep that number until July 7, when two more players will be cut.