Cincinnati freshman guard Lance Stephenson has been cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center and won’t miss any games.
“Clear,” Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin said by text.
Cincinnati was informed early Thursday evening and Stephenson then scored nine points on 4-of-14 shooting in Cincinnati’s 86-58 victory over Saginaw Valley State. He played 18 minutes off the bench.
“I am happy to be able to put this behind me,” Stephenson said in a statement. “Since I committed to the Bearcats back in the summer, all I have wanted to do was get here and start playing ball with my teammates. I want to thank everyone that has given me encouragement and support during this, especially my family, coaches and teammates. They have been with me every step.”
The 6-foot-5 Stephenson was being looked at by the NCAA for amateurism issues. He was involved in the “Born Ready” Internet series and a film called “Gunnin’ For That No. 1 Spot.”
Fellow freshman John Wall of Kentucky must sit two games, including an exhibition, because of his association with an agent, Brian Clifton, who served as Wall’s AAU coach. Wall will also have to repay about $800 related to college visits he took during the time Clifton coached him.
The all-time leading scorer in New York State history during his career at Brooklyn Lincoln High School, Stephenson was named the Big East Preseason Rookie of the Year. He averaged 28.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists last season at Lincoln.
He scored 22 points in 25 minutes in a scrimmage Oct. 24, impressing observers.
“The guy can play offense,” Cronin told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “He’s got a lot of natural, God-given ability. I think our style of play will help Lance.”
Stephenson chose Cincinnati in June, a story first reported by SNY.tv.
The Bearcats were picked to finish seventh in the Big East and open regular-season action on Nov. 16 against. Prairie View A&M.
Stephenson and his teammates will play Vanderbilt Nov. 23 in the Maui Invitational on ESPN.
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jeffto / November 5, 2009
There’s zero evidence he was being “investigated” for amateur issues. That’s pure speculation and shouldn’t be reported as fact.
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JessieWildcat / November 5, 2009
It is great to hear that Lance-A-Lot will be playing college ball.
Look forward to seeing his games.
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Adam Zagoria / November 5, 2009
Zero evidence?
The head coach said it to me in a video interview.
“We’re waiting,” Cronin said. “He’s cleared academically so we’re just waiting on the amateur thing. He’s not the only one waiting. A lot of the elite players [John Wall, Renardo Sidney] are going through it…Hopefully, it’s done before the first game, I know that.”
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RockChalkWoody / November 5, 2009
Zero evidence? Did you follow his recruitment at all?
Stupid comment.
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jeffto / November 5, 2009
A TV show and/or visit to a factory aren’t evidence of anything. There was no smoke because there was no fire.
All players have to clear the Clearinghouse. Lance was later than most because his paperwork was late.
This was all much ado about nothing.
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OldTerp / November 5, 2009
Let’s hope this kid goes to class, embraces the college life, and has a good year on the court. He probably brought most of his issues on himself, but he is still a young adult trying to navigate his way to maturity.
Good for him – let’s see him play.
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RockChalkWoody / November 6, 2009
There was also the little matter of proceeds from his website.
jeffto, did you even follow his recruitment last year? There were all kinds of red flags.
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jeffto / November 6, 2009
Pure speculation – OBVIOUSLY. Does NO SUSPENSION tell you anything? If there was anything real would he have played last night?
Yes, I followed his recruitment and people were trying to make something out of nothing all along.
And, if some programs backed off Lance for some reason, why was he still getting text messages from some of the top programs in the country when he was visiting UC?
All of the Lance “controversy” came from bloggers trying to get eyeballs to their pages. It’s as simple as that.
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RockChalkWoody / November 6, 2009
jeffto, what is your problem? Everybody knows that the NCAA was investigating this situation so I’m not sure why you’re in denial about it. I could care less about text messages that he received…KU backed off of him for these issues and because Xavier Henry became available again.
You should just be happy that he can now play & stop worrying about the past.
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jeffto / November 7, 2009
RockChalk:
Andy Katz is reporting that the delay was due to questions about unofficial recruiting visits. So maybe your statement that “everybody knows” may need some rethinking.
But then you could care less about the truth.
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RockChalkWoody / November 7, 2009
The truth is he was being investigated. Why deny that the clearinghouse was looking into proceeds from his website? He’s okay so why the chip on your shoulder about it? He can go put up stats on a marginal team for a year & then go pro (and make more $$$ than you and I). Stop whining.
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jeffto / November 7, 2009
Do you have any proof that they were looking into his website? The answer is no because there isn’t any. The clearinghouse hasn’t said anything like that and they are the only ones who know for sure.
I’m not whining. I, like most people, don’t like self-appointed “know-it-all’s”
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RockChalkWoody / November 8, 2009
Yeah, you are whining about it. Dude, just let it go–he’s in the clear.
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