Stephenson’s Daughter a Source of Inspiration

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — After Cincinnati beat Rutgers 65-58 Saturday night, Lance Stephenson wore a Yankees cap and a smile as he walked diagonally across the Rutgers Athletic Center floor.

He had one thought on his mind. He wanted to see his daughter.

In addition to being a heralded freshman basketball player at Cincinnati, Stephenson is also the proud father of a 2-year-old girl named Liara.

“My daughter’s played a big role in my life,” Stephenson said after scoring 10 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in the victory. “Ever since she came I’ve just been real focused. I take everything more serious. I’m just more mature. Having a daughter made me take everything serious and be a good father.”

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(Photo courtesy Neil Miller)

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Written by Adam Zagoria

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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.