Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Stephenson Case Delayed to June; Arizona Still Involved
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Lance Stephenson and Darwin “Buddha” Ellis could have to wait until late June to learn the results of their sexual assault case.
At a hearing this morning in Brooklyn Criminal Court, Judge Alexander Jeong adjourned the case until June 29.
Stephenson’s attorney, Alberto Ebanks, and Ellis’ attorney, Estelle Roond, had no official comment, but indicated they are trying to get the case dismissed.
In a weak attempt at humor, Jeong told Ebanks, “Your client’s pretty tall. He should play basketball.”
It is possible the case could be dismissed or a plea bargain could be entered as early as today, and I will update later if that is the case.
Stephenson and Ellis are charged with groping a 17-year-old female student outside Lincoln High School last Oct. 3. They face up to six months in jail if convicted.
Ebanks has maintained all along that his client is innocent.
Stephenson attended the hearing wearing a white dress shirt and black slacks. Both his parents were in attendance. Ellis wore jeans and an orange shirt.
Arizona and Memphis remain involved with the 6-foot-5 Stephenson, a McDonald’s All-American and the all-time leading scorer in New York State history.
A source at Arizona said Tuesday the program was still interested in having Stephenson take an official visit to campus, but they hadn’t spoken with his camp in several days.
It remains possible that no college decision will come until the court case is resolved.
“I’m going to miss [playing AAU] a lot, but I’m going off to college and trying to find a good team to play with and win just like I’m doing now,” Stephenson told NYCHoops.net on Sunday after he led the New York Panthers to the is8 championship.
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Lance Stephenson and Darwin “Buddha” Ellis could have to wait until late June to learn the results of their sexual assault case.
At a hearing this morning in Brooklyn Criminal Court, Judge Alexander Jeong adjourned the case until June 29.
Stephenson’s attorney, Alberto Ebanks, and Ellis’ attorney, Estelle Roond, had no official comment, but indicated they are trying to get the case dismissed.
In a weak attempt at humor, Jeong told Ebanks, “Your client’s pretty tall. He should play basketball.”
It is possible the case could be dismissed or a plea bargain could be entered as early as today, and I will update later if that is the case.
Stephenson and Ellis are charged with groping a 17-year-old female student outside Lincoln High School last Oct. 3. They face up to six months in jail if convicted.
Ebanks has maintained all along that his client is innocent.
Stephenson attended the hearing wearing a white dress shirt and black slacks. Both his parents were in attendance. Ellis wore jeans and an orange shirt.
Arizona and Memphis remain involved with the 6-foot-5 Stephenson, a McDonald’s All-American and the all-time leading scorer in New York State history.
A source at Arizona said Tuesday the program was still interested in having Stephenson take an official visit to campus, but they hadn’t spoken with his camp in several days.
It remains possible that no college decision will come until the court case is resolved.
“I’m going to miss [playing AAU] a lot, but I’m going off to college and trying to find a good team to play with and win just like I’m doing now,” Stephenson told NYCHoops.net on Sunday after he led the New York Panthers to the is8 championship.
