Lance Stephenson dropped 38 points to lead the New York Panthers to an 84-76 victory in the quarterfinals of the 2009 Is8/Nike Spring High School Classic in Queens, N.Y. on Sunday, but the biggest news about the Brooklyn star came off the court.
Arizona-bound wing Kevin Parrom, who played with Stephenson on the Panthers, told reporters Stephenson would visit the PAC-10 school shortly with his father, Lance Stephenson Sr.
“I guess he’s showing some interest in Arizona because he said he will come out there to visit,” Parrom told UAHoopscoach.com. “With all the questions I’m getting I feel like I’m part of the coaching staff recruiting him, but that’s cool. I understand it.
“If we can bring another player like him to add to what we have, that would be great. He’s one of those ‘wonder kids.’ If we get him, great. I can’t get mad at that. That would be a plus.”
Sources at Arizona said no plans are currently in motion for Stephenson to visit Arizona this week or next weekend.
“It wouldn’t surprise me [if he visited],” a source close to Stephenson said. “I’ve been hearing about Arizona for two weeks now.
“I would be surprised if he missed next weekend’s playoffs.”
The Panthers will meet the New Heights Juniors on Saturday at 12:30 and the other semi features RISE against the Playaz Sophomores at 11 a.m. The championship game is May 17 at 11 a.m.
Stephenson is still weighing his college options, with both Memphis and Arizona making a late push.
He has taken official visits to Kansas, Maryland and St. John’s, leaving him with two more to take.
“I have no clue where he is at [in the decison-making process],” Parrom said. “I don’t think he has a clue about it either. I don’t know what he’s thinking about. I guess he’s just taking his time.
“It’s still up in the air but he is showing interest in Arizona, and I’m cool with that.”
A source within the Lincoln High school athletic department said the school is “planning a press conference at Lincoln within the upcoming weeks” to announce Stephenson’s decision.
But Stephenson has a court date May 19 and it’s looking increasingly likely that his announcement will come after the NCAA late signing date of May 20.
Stephenson converted 13-of-25 shots, was 2-for-4 from 3 and 8-for-12 from the line. He added three rebounds, four assists and two steals.
“Lance had 38,” Panthers coach Gary Charles said. “He was focused today with the game.”
Pitt-bound big man Dante Taylor (pictured) had 16 points and 17 rebounds, 10 offensive, for the Panthers. And Villanova-bound point guard Maalik Wayns had 12 points, one assist and one rebound.
Syracuse-bound guard Brandon Triche had 15 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal for New York Elite. Louisville-bound point guard Peyton Siva flew in and had 14 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals.
***For more on Stephenson, watch this video interview with Tom Konchalski.
NYCTarHeel / May 10, 2009
http://www.fiveborosports.com/ssp/news?news_id=2641
IS8 Notebook: Lance Stephenson saga continues
Damion Reid
By Zachary Braziller
May 10, 2009
According to Parrom, Stephenson said he would visit Arizona shortly. A source close to Stephenson said a decision would be made by May 20, the final day of the early signing period.
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NYCTarHeel / May 10, 2009
St. John’s ends pursuit of Stephenson, sources say Terps ruled out
http://www.examiner.com/x-1089-Baltimore-Sports-Examiner~y2009m5d10-St-Johns-ends-pursuit-of-Stephenson-sources-say-Terps-ruled-out
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LanceIsNotAHawk / May 10, 2009
You forgot to mention that the link also says that neither UA or Memphis is THAT interested in the guard.
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Adam Zagoria / May 10, 2009
With all due respect to the author of that story, I spoke to coaches at both schools today and they are interested. I have no idea what the basis of that reporter’s statements are. Thanks.
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USC.trojan / May 11, 2009
AZ,
You are right on it. Arizona is interested in Lance-A-Lot.
May 20: Lance will make the decison……..Is this realistic???
Arizona-bound wing Kevin Parrom, who played with Stephenson on the Panthers, told reporters Stephenson would visit the PAC-10 school shortly with his father, Lance Stephenson Sr.
A source close to Stephenson said a decision would be made by May 20, the final day of the early signing period. *********
Does it Pass the Miller “FIT” Test?
It is very interested on how Lance had not played with this team for some time.
And Lance and Kevin had an opportunity to play on the same team.
No coincidence.
End Results— PASSED with A+ !
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USC.trojan / May 11, 2009
Here are some more inputs from UofAHoops..
uahoopscoach.com
“I guess he’s showing some interest in Arizona because he said he will come out there to visit,” Parrom told me Sunday night. “With all the questions I’m getting I feel like I’m part of coaching staff recruiting him, but that’s cool. I understand it.
“If we can bring another player like him to add to what we have, that would be great. He’s one of those ‘wonder kids.’ If we get him, great. I can’t get mad at that. That would be a plus.”
Parrom reiterated that Stephenson is not close to making a decision. Stephenson reportedly is also considering Memphis.
“I have no clue where he is at (in the decison-making process),” Parrom said. “I don’t think he has a clue about it either. I don’t know what he’s thinking about. I guess he’s just taking his time.
“It’s still up in the air but he is showing interest in Arizona, and I’m cool with that.”
http://www.wildcatsportsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6411&page=6
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USC.trojan / May 11, 2009
The link is here…http://uahoopscoach.com/?p=1727&cpage=1#comment-17540
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UofA BJ / May 11, 2009
Jessie wildcat -usc.trojan why does your dumb A$$ feel the need to post exactly what Zags already wrote. Are you Serious with that crap?Then you post the same garbage on Uahoopscoach that has already been written. Its pretty obvious that zags and javy know one another since they have the e xact same story.
Cant figure if you are 12 or just retarded. Seriously what is your deal?
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UofA BJ / May 11, 2009
Lance Stephenson 3====D~~~~~ Jessiewildcat/usc.trojan
Get a life and do your homework for school.
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cdrtiger / May 11, 2009
Well I am assuming if he visits one of the schools and not the other one that he will be going to the school he visited which looks to be Arizona.
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jayhawkfan11 / May 11, 2009
USC.trojan~
Do us all a favor and hire someone to beat you over the head with a tire iron.
Sincerely,
Everyone who has ever had to read your crap.
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