Recruiting expert Tom Konchalski talks Lance Stephenson, John Wall and Kevin Parrom.
LANCE UPDATE NO. 1: 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. Take that for what it’s worth. No date has been set, and as far as we know Lance has still not made a decision.
LANCE UPDATE NO. 2: Lance scored a game-high 21 points on 7-for-13 shooting (including 3-for-3 from 3) Saturday as the New York Panthers beat NYABC 91-81 in the second-round of the Is8/Nike Spring High School Classic.
The Panthers will meet Syracuse-bound guard Brandon Triche and New York Elite in the quarterfinals on Sunday at 1.
Stephenson doesn’t normally play with the Panthers but teamed up with them for the first time in four years. The Panthers were loaded and also featured Villanova-bound guard Maalik Wayns (15 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists), Pitt commit Dante Taylor (13), Arizona-bound wing Kevin Parrom (13) and St. John’s commit Omari Lawrence (11).
“Maalik had texted Lance as he was coming up here and and said, ‘Hey Lance, can you come play with us?'” Panthers coach Gary Charles said.
Once Stephenson showed up, Charles told him: “Lance, you started out with us at is8 as a freshman. Why don’t you finish it off with us as a senior?”
Charles said there was no discussion of where Stephenson might go to college, and when two reporters approached Stephenson he told them he had no comment on the matter.
“We didn’t discuss it all as far as schools,” Charles said. “I know that they came there to have a good time and enjoy the game so I didn’t want to put any undue pressure.”
Arizona fans can dream that Parrom and Stephenson will again team up next year for the Wildcats. Parrom recently committed to Arizona after initially signing with Xavier, and Arizona and Memphis are both trying to land the 6-foot-5 Stephenson.
