Coney Island, NY
But notoriety can be a mixed blessing. An arrest for sexual assault -- he allegedly groped a female student in a Lincoln High hallway -- made national news. And at the tryouts for the U18 National Team in July, the focus of many observers wasn't on players like Kemba Walker or JaMychal Green; it was on Stephenson and the fact that he had trouble playing as part of a team. Stephenson was eventually cut from the squad.
Stephenson boasts the sort of size (6'5", 195) that makes NBA scouts drool. His game is very advanced for one so young, due in part to the fact that he's been playing in exhibitions like New York's legendary Rucker Park Leagues for years.
That said, there's a concern that he's been over-hyped. Would he be a household name if he hailed from Omaha or Phoenix, and not the same high school that produced Stephon Marbury, Sebastian Telfair and Jesus Shuttlesworth?
Seems unlikely.
Recruiting News:
Stephenson's recruiting decision has dragged on for months, with dozens of schools expressing interest and then backing out. Some believe schools are waiting for Stephenson's legal troubles to be resolved one way or another. Others worry that he may have compromised his amateur status in one way or another.The New York Daily News is reporting that Stephenson visited the University of Cincinnati recently, adding the Bearcats to the Memphis Tigers and Arizona Wildcats on a list of suitors that once included UCLA, USC, Kansas, St. John's and more.
Legal Trouble:
In early October, Stephen was accused of groping a female Lincoln H.S. student and charged with a class B misdemeanor. He denies any wrongdoing.It is unlikely that the charges will affect Stephenson's recruiting, unless/until he's convicted.
