Lance Stephenson will take an official visit to St. John’s beginning Friday night, according to sources at St. John’s. An official visit can last 48 hours so Stephenson would leave the Queens campus Sunday.
The 6-foot-5 Stephenson has taken officials to Kansas and Maryland, but not St. John’s. He has been to campus several times unofficially.
Additionally, Kansas coach Bill Self will visit with Stephenson Friday afternoon at his Coney Island home, according to another source.
“They’re getting closer to making a decision,” a third source said of the Stephenson family. “They [the coaches] are all making their last minute pitches and I think this is St John’s last chance to beat the other couple [schools, including Maryland]. This is their best opportunity right now. This is their last chance right now.”
The story was first reported by the Daily News.
Stephenson was initially expected to pick Kansas during a March 31 press conference in Miami, but various sources said Kansas asked him to hold off in part to check out whether the BornReady.tv website would pass NCAA eligibility requirements and in part because the school is also hoping to land Xavier Henry of Putnam City (Oklahoma City).
Henry got his release from Memphis this week and lists Kansas as his favorite. He chose Memphis over Kansas last November to play with his brother, C.J.
Henry could still wind up at Kansas or at Kentucky with former Memphis coach John Calipari. Carl Henry, Xavier and C.J.’s father, said no decision was imminent because Xavier is in Portland, Ore. this weekend for the Nike Hoop Summit and will be in New York next weekend for the Jordan Brand Classic.
If Henry picks Kansas, Stephenson would likely wind up at St. John’s.
Kansas freed up two scholarships Thursday when Quintrell Thomas and Tyrone Appleton both announced they would transfer. Still, if Sherron Collins remains at Kansas and/or Henry commits to Kansas, Stephenson might have concerns over playing time.
“I think this weekend is the major decision day,” the source said of the Stephensons. “They [the Stephenson family] are just waiting to see what the numbers are at Kansas.”
KB / April 10, 2009
“If Henry picks Kansas, Stephenson would likely wind up at St. John’s.” What is this based off of? Has a source said that St. John’s is Lance’s #2 behind Kansas? Is this based off of pure speculation or is there a reason to believe why Lance would choose St. John’s over Maryland? I’ve noticed that the last few blog posts about Lance all of a sudden list St. John’s as the likely destination (if X goes to Kansas) when before it sounded like St. John’s was Lance’s #3 choice.
Appreciate the blog, I enjoy reading it.
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Terrapins92 / April 10, 2009
Ditto KB’s questions.
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Streethawk / April 10, 2009
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/ncaa#?eref=fromSI
Got to the site above from SI’s website.
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KB / April 10, 2009
Is that the sole source from why Adam now lists St. John’s as Lance’s #2? I find that hard to believe. I imagine he must be basing it off of other sources as well. I read the article that you linked and I find it funny that Maryland isn’t even mentioned in there when Lance has continued to mention Maryland in his top 3.
I’m just confused because I’ve been following Lance’s recruitment on this blog and for awhile it appeared that Kansas was the heavy favorite (which it sounds like it is). Then after Coach Cal moved to Kentucky, the rumors broke that X wants to go to Kansas in which case Lance would go to Maryland or St. John’s or somewhere else. But it sounded as if Maryland was the dominant #2 and St. John’s was never really a possibility.
All of a sudden, St. John’s is the strong #2. I seem to have missed the transition on how this happened or what leads Adam to believe that St. John’s is the strong #2. This is why I’m confused.
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Gohard / April 10, 2009
I’m confused too. A couple wks ago St. Johns wasn’t even an option from what I was reading. It was either Kansas or Maryland.
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TerpMasterX / April 10, 2009
This is the worst contridicting reporting I’ve seen so far. Lance has clearly said he doesnt want to play that close to home, so St. Johns is out, and X is going to go to Kansas. Lance will end up at Maryland next year. I cant believe nobody in the media is even mentioning the Terps as a possibility. Unreal. (Even if we don’t get Lance for some odd reason, we should be able to snag Vinson) FEAR THE TURTLE!
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reraiseit / April 10, 2009
Where did it say St. Johns was ever the third choice. We all know Kansas was the leader but i never saw articles saying it was Kansas over Maryland, rather the other way around. Here is an article with quotes from a source.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/high_school/2009/03/26/2009-03-26_sources_lincoln_star_lance_stephenson_le.html
“It appears (Kansas coach) Bill (Self) has one up on Norm,” a source said Wednesday. The source would be “shocked” if Stephenson chose Maryland over Kansas and St. John’s.
It appears St. Johns is the second choice, unless you believe these quotes were made up. You Maryland guys gotta read other stuff besides your message boards. If you have anything that discounts the sources quotes post them up.
BTW, X please go to Kansas!
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A-rob / April 10, 2009
I get the feeling that only Maryland fans think Lance might go to Maryland and not anyone else. Including Lance
Look-It was always Kansas or St. John’s. He was going to pick Kansas then the X thing happend and now he is going to hold on and see what happens.
But it is Kansas or St. Johns period.
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jeffto / April 10, 2009
Word out of Cincinnati is that Lance is taking a look at UC
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Adam Zagoria / April 11, 2009
Memo to Maryland fans: It’s over.
It’s either Kansas or St. John’s, unless somebody swoops in at the last minute and makes a big pitch.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I reported this a while back and the Daily News reiterated it today.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/2009/04/09/2009-04-09_lance_stephenson_plans_to_visit_st_johns.html
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willo3189 / April 11, 2009
****ACC>Big East
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Oakman / April 11, 2009
Willo you are outta your mind if you think the ACC is better then the Big East. The ACC is garbage compared to the Big East
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DiamondbackRuss / April 11, 2009
1) Vinson is going to UMass
2) Um, garbage just won the national championship? And for the 4th time since 2000? The Big East is a very good conference, they put two teams in the women’s NCAA Tournament final.
3) Wake me when Stephenson makes a decision. I’ve been Lanced out for about 2 weeks now
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Terrapins92 / April 12, 2009
Hey, if that is really the deal then fine. Beyond all smack talking about conferences, etc, most Maryland fans I’ve talked to honestly thought it would be a good fit for Lance because if he could not go to KU then he could develop under a great coach at Maryland, play with Padgett, probably have a pretty good NCAA run, and get away from NYC — which his father used to say was a really important factor. I guess the concern over ‘haters’ or whatever is not as big as Stretch made it seem. I guess that was just embellishment verbiage to rationalize to NYC people why he would go to Kansas.
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Gohard / April 12, 2009
I hope this kid goes to Kansas.
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Gohard / April 12, 2009
I know NYers are prayin’ he stays but I hope he goes to Kansas. Unless he wants to get blown out every game in a Red Storm uniform he’ll pick KU. Thats what Kansas fans rlly wanna say and why would he pick SJU anyway? They won’t have a popsicle’s chance in hell @ an NCAA tourney birth. Ain’t that what he really wants? Don’t do it Lance, I’m hoping you’re smarter than you look.
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