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.
Jennings Torches Knicks in Garden Debut; Talks NBA Prospects of Lance, Wall
NEW YORK — Three years ago, I wrote a cover story for Slam magazine on four of the best high school guards in the nation — Brandon Jennings, Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans and Lance Stephenson.
The cover read, “Final 4 – Jennings, Holiday, Evans & Stephenson. Who’s the best guard in the country?”
Three years later, three of those four guys are in the NBA and the fourth, Stephenson, likely soon will be.
Before Jennings torched the Knicks for 22 points and 8 assists in a 114-107 Bucks’ victory at Madison Square Garden, he spoke about the NBA prospects of Stephenson, a freshman at Cincinnati, and Kentucky frosh John Wall.
“I haven’t heard much about [Stephenson] so in that case probably when you don’t hear a lot about somebody, they probably need to stay another year or so,” Jennings said.
The 6-5 Stephenson was the Big East Preseason Rookie of the Year and is the favorite to win that same postseason award. He has been steady, but not spectacular, averaging 12 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
“He’s had a good year,” Bearcats coach Mick Cronin said recently. “I think for a freshman he’s had a great year. You can’t compare people to John Wall or Michael Beasley but Lance has had a very good year. I’d probably say if the voting were taken right now he’d probably be Freshman of the Year in the Big East. You can’t live up to ridiculous expectations that other people set forth for you.”
“He’s always been stronger than other kids and he always had that NBA body,” Jennings said. “Colleges are different. But when you get to the league it’s more open and you’re able to really showcase your skills.”
Jennings should know. After not getting a qualifying SAT score to attend Arizona, he spent last season in Italy, where the playing time was sparse and the lessons were hard. Now he and Evans are Rookie of the Year candidates.
Jennings is averaging 17.2 points, 6.2 assists and 3.6 rebounds, while out in Sacramento, Evans is averaging 20.7 points, 5 assists and 4.7 rebounds.
Jennings, like virtually everyone else, says Wall will be the No. 1 pick.
“I think the kid John Wall for sure is going to be the No. 1 pick…Now you just gotta wait and see how good they’re really gonna be on the next level because on the next level everybody can do what you can do.
“In college everybody can’t do what John Wall can do.”
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
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.
NEW YORK — Three years ago, I wrote a cover story for Slam magazine on four of the best high school guards in the nation — Brandon Jennings, Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans and Lance Stephenson.
The cover read, “Final 4 – Jennings, Holiday, Evans & Stephenson. Who’s the best guard in the country?”
Three years later, three of those four guys are in the NBA and the fourth, Stephenson, likely soon will be.
Before Jennings torched the Knicks for 22 points and 8 assists in a 114-107 Bucks’ victory at Madison Square Garden, he spoke about the NBA prospects of Stephenson, a freshman at Cincinnati, and Kentucky frosh John Wall.
“I haven’t heard much about [Stephenson] so in that case probably when you don’t hear a lot about somebody, they probably need to stay another year or so,” Jennings said.
The 6-5 Stephenson was the Big East Preseason Rookie of the Year and is the favorite to win that same postseason award. He has been steady, but not spectacular, averaging 12 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
“He’s had a good year,” Bearcats coach Mick Cronin said recently. “I think for a freshman he’s had a great year. You can’t compare people to John Wall or Michael Beasley but Lance has had a very good year. I’d probably say if the voting were taken right now he’d probably be Freshman of the Year in the Big East. You can’t live up to ridiculous expectations that other people set forth for you.”
“He’s always been stronger than other kids and he always had that NBA body,” Jennings said. “Colleges are different. But when you get to the league it’s more open and you’re able to really showcase your skills.”
Jennings should know. After not getting a qualifying SAT score to attend Arizona, he spent last season in Italy, where the playing time was sparse and the lessons were hard. Now he and Evans are Rookie of the Year candidates.
Jennings is averaging 17.2 points, 6.2 assists and 3.6 rebounds, while out in Sacramento, Evans is averaging 20.7 points, 5 assists and 4.7 rebounds.
Jennings, like virtually everyone else, says Wall will be the No. 1 pick.
“I think the kid John Wall for sure is going to be the No. 1 pick…Now you just gotta wait and see how good they’re really gonna be on the next level because on the next level everybody can do what you can do.
“In college everybody can’t do what John Wall can do.”
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
