NCAA BK

FOX Sports Exclusive

Stephenson agrees to play for Bearcats next year

Share This Story

Jeff Goodman

Jeff Goodman is a senior college basketball writer for FOXSports.com. Check out his Yardbarker blog. MORE>>
 
Updated Jul 1, 2009 12:02 PM ET
     
 
Finally, a taker for Lance Stephenson. After numerous schools opted to take a pass on the talented Lincoln High (N.Y.) senior — the final unsigned Top 100 player — Stephenson has signed a financial aid agreement to play at Cincinnati. "We are very excited about Lance's decision to become a Bearcat," Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin said in a statement released by the school on Tuesday night. "Lance has terrific talent as a basketball player and is also a fierce competitor on the court." But the problem with Stephenson is off the court. Stephenson's attitude has been questioned by many coaches — as is a potential NCAA investigation that many coaching staffs believe will be looming as soon as he signs with a school. Stephenson also had a sexual assault case delayed until July 15 after he was accused of groping a female student outside of Lincoln High. "He could be a program killer," said one college coach. "He's not worth the risk," said another. Sources told FOXSports.com that Arizona and Florida were just two of the schools to back off recruiting Stephenson for the aforementioned reasons. The Stephenson camp also reached out to several other BCS schools, but none wanted to take a risk despite his ability. Even though Stephenson has signed an agreement to play at Cincinnati, there are still some that believe he could go the overseas route instead of playing college basketball. The 6-foot-5 Stephenson has talent. He led Lincoln High to four straight Public League titles and also earned a spot on the McDonald's All-American Team. Stephenson wanted to play at Kansas, but the Jayhawks opted to take Xavier Henry instead. What's interesting is that on the same day that Stephenson chose Cincinnati, Henry's father, Carl, told WHB in Kansas City that Xavier was still considering playing at Kentucky.
Tagged: Kansas, Arizona, Xavier, Florida, Cincinnati

More Stories From Jeff Goodman



Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NCAA BK Videos

Crispin: (11) MSU - (3) OSU preview Posted: Feb 11, 2012
FOXSports.com's Jon Crispin previews No. 11 Michigan State's game vs No. 3 Ohio ...

Highlights: Washington - Oregon Posted: Feb 10, 2012
Watch highlights of Oregon's 82-57 win over Washington.

Highlights: Stanford - UCLA Posted: Feb 10, 2012
Watch highlights of UCLA's 72-61 win over Stanford.

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Florida Gators White College Replica Basketball Shorts http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/391722/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_391000/FF_391722_xl.jpg&w=100 44.95 Nike Florida Gators White College Replica Basketball Shorts
    Nike Pittsburgh Panthers Navy Blue Aerographic Premium T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Pitt_Panthers/browse/featuredproduct/604913/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_604000/ff_604913_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Nike Pittsburgh Panthers Navy Blue Aerographic Premium T-shirt
    adidas Tennessee Volunteers Tennessee Orange Layup Flex Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Tennessee_Volunteers/browse/featuredproduct/664508/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_664000/ff_664508_xl.jpg&w=100 21.95 adidas Tennessee Volunteers Tennessee Orange Layup Flex Hat
    Nike Connecticut Huskies (UConn) #34 Men\'s Swingman Aerographic Elite Basketball Jersey - Navy Blue http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Connecticut_Huskies/browse/featuredproduct/676014/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_676000/ff_676014_xl.jpg&w=100 74.95 Nike Connecticut Huskies (UConn) #34 Men\'s Swingman Aerographic Elite Basketbal..
    Nike Duke Blue Devils #30 Elite Aerographic Replica Basketball Jersey - White http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Duke_Blue_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/676565/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_676000/ff_676565_xl.jpg&w=100 59.95 Nike Duke Blue Devils #30 Elite Aerographic Replica Basketball Jersey - White
    Nike Syracuse Orange #11 Elite Aerographic Replica Basketball Jersey - Orange http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Syracuse_Orange/browse/featuredproduct/676593/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_676000/ff_676593_xl.jpg&w=100 59.95 Nike Syracuse Orange #11 Elite Aerographic Replica Basketball Jersey - Orange
    adidas Texas A&M Aggies Maroon Hoops Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Texas_A_And_M_Aggies/browse/featuredproduct/685132/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_685000/ff_685132_xl.jpg&w=100 64.95 adidas Texas A&M Aggies Maroon Hoops Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt
    Rawlings Louisville Cardinals Crossover Full-Size Basketball http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Louisville_Cardinals/browse/featuredproduct/719392/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_719000/ff_719392_xl.jpg&w=100 16.95 Rawlings Louisville Cardinals Crossover Full-Size Basketball
    Nike Kentucky Wildcats #14 Elite Replica Aerographic Basketball Jersey - Royal Blue http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Kentucky_Wildcats/browse/featuredproduct/752828/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_752000/ff_752828_xl.jpg&w=100 59.95 Nike Kentucky Wildcats #14 Elite Replica Aerographic Basketball Jersey - Royal B..
    Nike North Carolina Tar Heels (UNC) #40 Hoops Replica Basketball T-Shirt - White http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_North_Carolina_Tar_Heels/browse/featuredproduct/777213/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_777000/ff_777213_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike North Carolina Tar Heels (UNC) #40 Hoops Replica Basketball T-Shirt - White
Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft