Lance Stephenson says he’s already chosen his college, and at this point all signs indicate he’ll...

Lance Stephenson says he’s already chosen his college, and at this point all signs indicate he’ll end up at Kansas.

Based on numerous interviews, Stephenson’s comments in recent days and the history of his recruitment, it’s a safe bet that he ends up in a Jayhawk uniform next season.

Lance says it was between Kansas, Maryland and St. John’s, but several sources said Maryland is not in the picture and one source very close to the decision-making process said Kansas is a heavy favorite.

Zags Blog -- Stephenson to Kansas

Boom, baby. And the day just keeps on getting better.

about 3 years ago rockchalk 31 comments 0 recs |

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BOOM

Can you say 3-peat!?!

by I need more Esteban on Mar 22, 2009 11:42 PM CDT reply actions

Don't be taunting us rockchalk:

We want this to be true! We’ve suffered so much lately.

by hunter s. royal on Mar 22, 2009 11:54 PM CDT reply actions

This has been out for about a week now.

I read it over at JayhawkSlant, but was very hesitant to bring it over here. Glad SlowDance was the one to do it… I’m not gonna believe it ’til he signs a piece of paper that says it.

"I log on to RCT after school, and I see the 228 comments on this thread. I actually immediately panicked, because knowing KC, I figured some other fan from another school (most likely Mizzou) came over and said something stupid. Then, KC freaked out at him, and said something stupid (no offense, KC, but this really wouldn’t be that extraordinary for you to pull off) and then there was mass hysteria. I would have to ban people, and warn people, and it’d be mass chaos." - SlowDance
Odds-on favorite to win the "1st Annual Rock Chalk Talk Tournament Pick 'Em Contest" :D

by Andy Edwards on Mar 23, 2009 1:50 AM CDT up reply actions

I couldn't agree more.

by tequilaprophet on Mar 23, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions

If you have an hour or so to kill,

(as I obviously do at 4 in the morning) and you are really interested in Lance, and his game, and his off the court personality, this site is a great watch.

by Andy Edwards on Mar 23, 2009 4:07 AM CDT reply actions

If we end up w/Stephenson....

we will be 2 over the scholarship limit if everyone came back. I think the writing is on the wall that we’ll be losing someone after the season. Maybe pro, maybe transfer but it’s happening.

Also if this comes to pass we’ve quietly put together one of the top classes in the country if you include Withey w/Robinson, Johnson and Stephenson….that’s a lot of “son’s”

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen on Mar 23, 2009 6:57 AM CDT reply actions

I think at this point Sherron definitely should go pro

For himself and his family that is – his stats won’t be better next year and even with all the publicity he got this year I doubt he can improve his stock without winning the national championship, and you can’t put all your eggs in one basket like that (although with his record in the tournament it may not be too much to ask). All that and a shitty economy thats going to lead to the NBA’s CBA being renegotiated means that he should leave now.
Cole, on the other hand, can shoot himself into the top-5 with another year and also doesn’t have a son to think about. He’s got Danny Manning here and he wanted to come to KU so bad —> he’s staying one more year. Self has also indicated as such (I basically paraphrased what he said about Cole).
That means either a transfer or loss of a scholarship – if its a scholarship loss I’m guessing Brady or Tyrel will be able/willing to do so, if its a transfer (sucks but might be better for the player involved – we are going to be DEEP) I don’t know who it’ll be because the most likely candidates are all from Kansas.

by 2.1 seconds left on Mar 23, 2009 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't see Tyrel giving up a scholarship....

Brady, maybe…but I just am not sure you can ask the guy to do that. My money is on a transfer and I’m thinking Quintrell Thomas might be the guy. I don’t want that to be the case at all and I still think he can fit in this rotation at some point but he’d have to be a patient guy for that to happen. Limited minutes this year and some studs coming in next year down low. We’ll see what happens…never fun to lose a guy but maybe we avoid it.

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen on Mar 23, 2009 7:52 AM CDT up reply actions

I think Sherron is definitely gone.

And I think Brady gives you a schollie.

Wouldn’t be surprised to see Quintrell transfer, though.

by rockchalk on Mar 23, 2009 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Also, with Stephenson

coming in, and EJ as well, don’t let your jaw hit the floor if Travis Releford decides to transfer…

by Andy Edwards on Mar 23, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

that one might surprise me a little more...

just watching the body language of the two throughout the season and on the bench Releford seems to understand he’ll have a role here and I think Self believes he fits here as well…sometimes I’m not sure the same is true with QT. Again though I hate losing anyone so I’m hopeful something miraculously works out.

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen on Mar 23, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Right.

My thinking with the Releford thing is this… Stephenson is gonna come in and start from Day 1. He is going to have a Kevin Durant like impact, with slightly lower numbers, because he will have a better team around him than Durant did. I know Travis LOVES KU, and always dreamed of playing here, but he wants to PLAY. With Brady, Tyrel, Lance and EJ, it is going to be damn hard for Travis to get significant time. I think he is a great player, and will only get better the more he practices/plays. But, he could play ALOT somewhere else, and I think he might see that.

by Andy Edwards on Mar 23, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

well Lance, Brady and Little will be the 3's...

I don’t see EJ or Tyrel competing for Relefords minutes because he isn’t a guard he’s more of a wing. If Lance is truly a one and done then I think Travis sees some minutes in the rotation next year and then the following year with the departure of Little and maybe Lance…Travis is a junior that has had the opportunity to ease into the roll and learn while playing against some great talent…two years of a solid role player ala Darnell Jackson.

Of course until the inks dry with Stephenson it is all speculation.

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen on Mar 23, 2009 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Good points.

If you take a little time to watch that link that I posted up above, the Born Ready TV thing, I think you will kinda get the sense that he isn’t necessarily a lock to be a one-and-done. His family lives in a fairly nice place for where they are at, and don’t seem to be hurting too much for cash. I think once HCBS gets ahold of him, along with Danny, he realizes he can get better. He seems like a fairly smart kid, IMO.

by Andy Edwards on Mar 23, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions

I haven't followed him too much because...

honestly I didn’t think we were a serious option, but now that it looks likely everything I’ve read says this guy is the real deal. All time leading scorer in the NY City area, I think I’ve even read that he might be the most marketed and known at this stage in the game of any kid to come out of NYC. Could have major implications for years if he puts on that Kansas uni for one or maybe even 2 seasons.

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen on Mar 23, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions

He's legit.

by Andy Edwards on Mar 23, 2009 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions

BTW -

Leaning on Bensa but he hasn’t replied to my facebook yet. I can give you his info and you can attempt to ‘friend’ him…

The Snozberries taste like Snozberries

by labbadabba on Mar 23, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions

that sounds creepy

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen on Mar 23, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm with you..I don't see Self asking...

Brady to give up his scholarship. Not after he’s started an entire year for you. I think that would be tough for any coach to ask even if you believe the kid probably won’t start next year. I also don’t see Tyrel giving up a scholarship. It would be one thing if Brady and Tyrel never saw the court, but with both of them being a part of your guard rotation I think it would be hard to justify not renewing their scholarships. If I was Self, I wouldn’t ask those guys to give up a scholarship.

As for transfers, Thomas seems like a likely candidate. If Cole returns, Thomas is obviously the odd man out in the big man rotation, especially once Withey becomes eligible in December. It would also not surprise me if Releford transferred (although I hope he does not). What I would I would like to see happen is Appleton transfers to a Division II school where he can play. I doubt his PT will be any better next year.

by KU_Lew on Mar 23, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm with you on Releford...

I would hate to lose him, I think there is a place for him and I think he’s going to be good with time.

Also KU_Lew…welcome to the site, looks like your relatively new around here and we’re glad to have you aboard.

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen on Mar 23, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

maybe

that’s insider information.

Is it the real “Lew”?

If you were thinking, you wouldn't have thought that.

by Warden11 on Mar 23, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't see any reason not to believe it is...

I would think it completely appropriate and reasonable to believe the AD of Kansas would partake in blog reading/commenting

(hopefully we can all catch that my comment is laced in saracsm much like Warden’s) :D

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen on Mar 23, 2009 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions

maybe he's scouting

for new talent. You know how he loves capitalizing on all things KU.

maybe he’s looking for trademark infringement.

If you were thinking, you wouldn't have thought that.

by Warden11 on Mar 23, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions

#2

The Snozberries taste like Snozberries

by labbadabba on Mar 23, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions

This is cool, but our most important recruit for next year is still Cole Aldrich

I’ll take proven post presence over unproven (in college) guard play all day.

by 2.1 seconds left on Mar 23, 2009 7:33 AM CDT reply actions

That said

I’m still f-in pumped about Stephenson – keeps our NY/NJ pipeline open, this time with the biggest name out of New York since Bassy Telfair. Also, gives us an elite recruit for all those who said we haven’t nabbed one in a while. And finally, gives us a proven perimeter scorer to help shoulder the load Sherron is going to be leaving.
Next year —→ We. Are. Stacked.
I’m also calling this – Stephenson arrives on campus, becomes part of the KU family, improves his game immensely in one year, and decides to give it a B-rush style second whirl, b/c no one can get enough with just one year of Kansas.
At least thats the hope – but I’m pumped either way.

by 2.1 seconds left on Mar 23, 2009 7:37 AM CDT up reply actions

agree with everything you say....

starting w/the most important one being Cole Aldrich…even if we lose Sherron, we need Cole next year to be that stabilizing force as these young guys and newcomers continue to develop.

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen on Mar 23, 2009 7:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Seriously though

It’s really cool to be talking about the fact that we have talent coming out of our ears, especially if Cole stays. And maybe I’m naive but I still think Sherron will since I don’t think he’d be a 1st rounder in June.

by fetch9 on Mar 23, 2009 1:55 PM CDT reply actions

problem is...

he has to make a decision by May so if he stays hot in the tourney and raises his stock, he might have to make the call before his stock has time to settle back down to reasonable levels.

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen on Mar 23, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions

If Sherron stays hot enough...

for long enough that he can raise his stock that much, more power to him. Because that probably means we’ve won at least another game or two.

That being said, I’d really like to have him back to make a run next year. But I just don’t see how the logistics of this are going to work out.

by hiphopopotamus on Mar 23, 2009 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions

exactly right...

and best believe that if Kansas beats Michigan State and Sherron continues his first weekend success he will become a media storyline for this team in a big way. Cole could do the same.

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen on Mar 23, 2009 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions