Lance Stephenson said he would consider joining the Army or playing in Europe instead of going to college after next season.
I spoke with both Lance and his father Lance Sr. this afternoon at the Steve Nash Nike Skills Academy here at Kean University and they confirmed that both were viable options.
“I think I want the education so I think I would go to college,” said Lance, one of the top players in the Class of 2009 and a rising senior at Brooklyn Lincoln High School. “I’m looking at Brandon (Jennings) right now, see how he’s doing. If he goes there (to Europe) then I’ll see how it is. If I do it, then I’ll do it, but right now I’m thinking about college.”
Jennings might play in Europe next season instead of going to Arizona because he is not yet qualified to play in college. Some have speculated that if Jennings follows that path, it could set a trend for players like Stephenson and Renardo Sidney to follow suit.
Both Stephensons said that joining the Army was another possibility.
“Yes, the Army,” Lance said. “That’s why I’m in the USA 18 and under Olympic team right now because I want to do a lot for my country.”
But would he really consider the Army?
“No, but if that stuff (Europe) don’t work, then Army’s what it is,” Lance said.
Previously, Lance Sr. said they had narrowed down his son’s college options to Kansas, USC, UCLA and St. John’s. He has already visited USC, UCLA and St. John’s and hopes to see Kansas.
“Probably when I have a break,” Lance said. “Right now I’m just going hard working out right now. I’m going to really work hard (at the FIBA U18 tryouts next week in Washington, D.C.). There’s a lot of great players, but I think I got a chance to make this one.”
The U18 tryouts run July 1-3 in D.C., and a 12-player team of college and prep players will then be chosen to head to Formosa, Argentina for the U18 championships.
Stephenson is at the Nash Academy working on developing his point guard skills for the next level.
“I need to work on everything,” he said. “I’m trying to get everything down pat so if a college needs me to play point, I’ll have the experience to play point, so I think this is a good camp for me.”
