Question: Do You Still Want Lance Stephenson?

by Ben Broman on May 21, 2009 4:09 PM EDT in Basketball Recruiting

Yes, Maryland is still recruiting Lance, and according to USAToday, they're in the final two with Arizona. According to one of Zags' sources, he'll decide between Maryland and Memphis (does anyone else find it strange that Zags said he got this source a few days ago, but never posted on it? I mean, he didn't waste any time with this kind of stuff before - just saying). The only constant between the two is that Maryland is still in it.

In retrospect, we're a little dumb in assuming he wrote Maryland off so quickly. Most of us were assured of it. The problem was that everything had been from unnamed sources - this is a lesson not to trust them nearly as much. I mean, the Stephenson's had said nothing about it. Many people made this point, but the majority of fans had assumed that he wasn't coming.

Now that Maryland is seen as a legitimate landing destination again, we have to pose a question - a lot of people have been very anti-BR lately. Was that just a defense mechanism, a reaction created when people assumed he wasn't coming to CP? Or was it a reaction created after people realized he was turning into a circus? Are you enamored with his skill? Or do you find yourself turned off by the circus that is his recruitment

(FWIW, I still want him. His dad's a bigger problem than he is, it seems, and he would probably be less of an issue in College Park. Also, this would create a wonderful snowball recruiting effect. However, a Lance with no Greivis to temper him could be scary).

Poll

Do you still want Lance Stephenson?

I'd welcome him with open arms.

433 votes

I'll pass - he's a headcase.

195 votes

628 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

this kid is stud

watch his highlights on youtube. this kid is a man.

by word2bigbird on May 21, 2009 5:21 PM EDT reply actions

i'd def still take him

his game is near NBA level, if not already there. hes a young kid, he WILL mature, it comes with time. you know Gary will put him on the right path, so if he has game, take him. he will mature as we have seen our very own greivis go through the same =)

by fedfan64 on May 21, 2009 5:37 PM EDT reply actions

lance s.

don’t think he’d work out at maryland, lacks character, only wants to stay one year. seems to be the type of player who needs the ball in his hands all the time. don’t think he’s work well with vasquez who i expect to come back next year. rather have the terps use the scholarship on a top quality prospect for 2010.

by fkterp on May 21, 2009 5:57 PM EDT reply actions

Yes

If for no other reason than to maybe get people to back off Gary’s recruiting skillz, or (perceived) lack thereof. Oh, and he might be kind of awesome, too. Which is nice.

by Chris Mottram on May 21, 2009 5:59 PM EDT reply actions

About what I expected so far

Most people want him, with a defined majority that thinks he’s a nut and wouldn’t work. I’m just trying to figure out how the poll only adds up to 99%.

by Ben Broman on May 21, 2009 8:04 PM EDT reply actions

I want him

Getting a good distance away from his old associates (and possibly his father?) could be good for him. I imagine Williams runs a pretty tight ship, so the structure should be good as well. Think it’s a little unfair to judge a young kid on some stupid decisions at this point…

by JC1 on May 22, 2009 12:13 AM EDT reply actions

Give Lance the Chance

to show what he can do alongside a tough bunch of players like him. He is maturing – heck, at least his dad cares about his future in some shape or form. I give him credit. I believe Lance and his parents will realize it’s best for Lance to go to play one year for an experienced coach and not a brand new coach like SM or JP. They’ll be very good coaches at their schools one day, but one day is not now. GW or Bill Self would have been the best choices in my book, but the Hawks have flown.

You cannot teach Lance’s hunger to play and win. He has talked about his team winning so many times in articles I have read. I want a guy like that on my team. Between BR, Jordan and Padgett, the frosh will contribute heavily by March.

by bball purist on May 26, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

Definitely

Not only do we want Lance Stephenson, we need him. Lance is an all-star and Gary Williams is a miracle worker when it comes to managing talent. We need someone like Lance to play on the opposite side as Greivis. Imagine both of them in the lineup, throw Gary Williams into the mix drawing up plays, etc. and that would be a Final 4-caliber team. I think there would be nothing better than for Lance to come to MD. Anyone see the 2010 Maryland recruiting class?? Looking nice.

by mbTERPS'13 on Jun 2, 2009 9:32 AM EDT reply actions