The Legend Of Buckets-Bagger Lance
Is the NCAA ready for Lance Stephenson?
Lance “Born Ready” Stephenson bags buckets like the rest of us wake up in the morning. For those of us who aren’t hooked on Xanax or Tylenol PM pills, that’s early, often, and consistently.
Will Stephenson, a Brooklyn-bred baller who’s got all the tools to put together a one-and-done at Cincinnati this year, live up to the hype? A question of perhaps more importance: Will the kid they call ‘Born Ready’ be ready once the Bearcats kick-start their season against Saginaw Valley State November 5?
Conventional wisdom tells us that Stephenson will likely be cleared to play. The biggest issue is whether his online reality show thwarts his amateur status.
The NCAA has not ruled on his status. Stephenson is cleared to play academically, which is why the flashy 6-6 guard/wing has been practicing and scrimmaging with the Bearcats. He’s already developed a rapport with his teammates and is tight with guard/forward Sean Kilpatrick.
UC is expecting a decision to be made by the NCAA within two weeks, albeit there is no indication from them whether or not Born Ready will be ready from the get-go or at all.
Stephenson was a beast among boys last season, leading Lincoln High to their record fourth straight PSAL title. Stephenson averaged 28.9 points, 10.2 boards and 3.9 dimes, en route to being named a McDonald’s All-American and garnering NYS Class AA Player of the Year.
The recruiting saga of Stephenson — whose penchant for dazzling the crowd with emphatic and extravagant dunks added to his internet celebrity — tells like no other.
First it was Kansas. All signs pointed to Bill Self and former pro Danny Manning selling the wide-bodied, smooth operator. Then we heard Maryland was in the mix. The Maryland visit put Stephenson in hot water when Under Armour, the athletic apparel company of Brandon Jennings, gave the Stephenson family a tour of their headquarters in Baltimore.
Suddenly, the script flipped.
Word around the blazing Coney Island campfire was that Stephenson was
going to stay home, and St. John’s would soon pen the highly sought after recruit. This could save the career of Norm Roberts, who had been active in Stephenson’s recruitment all along, we thought.
One rumor turned into another, and newly-minted Florida International head coach Isiah Thomas was mired in the conversations. Zeke, looking to resuscitate his image after his storm with the New York Knicks, thoroughly hounded Stephenson and a number of other highly courted recruits.
Sonny Vaccaro became involved. Tom Konchalski, the widely recognized prep scout who advised Stephenson when he tried out for the USA Under-18 national team and was cut for his body language, was involved. Konchalski was the subject of many interviews for stories about Stephenson.
The media began puncturing his image, saying Stephenson brought baggage. The analysts, pundits, naysayers and haters alike said Stephenson’s father, Lance Sr. (known as “Stretch”) was an ego maniac who wouldn’t send his son to a school where he wouldn’t be the man immediately.
Stephenson has wasted no time registering his presence in Bearcat country. He scored 22 points in 25 minutes in the team’s first intra-squad scrimmage.
Is the college hoops world ready for Stephenson? He’s taller, stronger and more versatile than the previous pro-bound prospects from Lincoln, Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair.
The legend of Buckets Bagger Lance continues this winter.
Zach Smart has written for Big East Basketball Report, Hoops Addict and The East Coast Bias. Read more on his blog.
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BROOKLYN WE GO HARD
NYC G.O.A.T
FEELS GOOD
WHATS UP BEN ?
I ALWAYS FEEL THE LUV UR READERS & BLOGGERS GIVE BORN READY . LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT CHAPTER IN BORN READY’S CAREER.
COACH CRONIN HAS THE BEARCATS WORKING HARD . LANCE CALLS ME EVERYDAY AND TELL ME ABOUT THE PROGRESS HE & THE TEAM ARE MAKING . HE IS VERY HAPPY WITH HIS NEW TEAM & COACH AND MOST OF ALL THEY ARE TRILLED TO HAVE BORN READY IN THE GUEEN CITY . LANCE TELLS ME THAT THE GUARD PLAY ON THE TEAM IS REALLY GOOD BUT HE’S MORE IMPRESSED WITH THE PLAY OF THE FRONT LINE . GATES,THOMAS,TOYLAND & BIGGIE . THE GUYS ARE WORKIN THERE BUTTS OFF. http://WWW.BEARCATLAIR.COM
PS BORN READY CANT JUMP ??? THIS IS 4 THE KENTUCKY FANS… IN UR FACE !!!GO BEARCATS !!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO5vJz11u9w
Sporting News college basketball columnist Mike DeCourcy answers five questions of the week in his sport. 1. What’s been the most impressive preseason …
Dec. 13 at Xavier: La Salle grad Mick Cronin and St. X grad Chris Mack coach against each other in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout. Jan. 13 at St. John’s: Lance Stephenson returns home to play at Madison Square Garden. Jan. 24 at Louisville: Bearcats try to repeat their upset of two years ago. Feb. 27 at West Virginia: The Huggins-UC angle always creates a stir. March 2 vs. Villanova: The Bearcats play their last regular-season home game against the favorite to win the Big East.
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