I see that my recent posts on Lance Stephenson’s recruitment have generated some talk on various messageboards and in other circles.
As I reported last night, the 6-foot-5 Stephenson, the No. 7 overall player and No. 2 shooting guard in the Class of 2009, is down to Kansas, UCLA, USC and St. John’s, as per his father, Lance Stephenson Sr., who is his AAU coach and the man handling his recruitment.
The Daily News has chimed in to confirm that list two days after I reported it.
Kentucky is NOT in the mix, according to his father.
“No, we never talked to Kentucky or been contacted by them,” Stephenson Sr. said.
A family friend had previously told me USC was out and Kentucky was in, but Stephenson Sr. flatly denied that.
“Right now we’re down to Kansas, UCLA and USC,” Stephenson Sr. said. “St. John’s, too. St. John’s came on late after the team camp that they had last week. Lance liked what he saw there, so that’s kind of the new team. We’re trying to narrow it down at this point, so I would say that’s about it.”
Asked what the family is looking for, Stephenson Sr. said: “We want to pick the best situation for Lance and make sure that he’s comfortable. We want a coach that will stay on him and is just as aggressive as he is.”
Lance Sr. added that the family hoped to make a decision before the start of the high school season, when Lincoln will be seeking its fourth straight PSAL championship.
“I’m trying to look for a good school,” Stephenson Jr. said. “I’ve visited a lot of schools and we’re trying to see what the best pick is for me.”
For more on Lance, here’s a story by my colleague Dan Martin of he New York Post.
