I awoke this morning thinking I would be interview Abraham Lincoln high school basketball phenom Lance Stephenson after his announcement of where he would play his collegiate basketball. Stephenson kept his word (sort of) and made an announcement to the media at approximately 11:45 this morning. The 6'6 senior swingman announced that he would not be making announcement regarding his basketball future at this time as he released the following statement:
"After discussing it, my father and I have decided the best thing to do is continue reviewing my choices. For now, I would like to focus on the McDonald's All American Game tomorrow. I am proud to be a part of this event that raises funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities.We thank the media and the McDonald's team for making this event possible. I apologize to anyone who was expecting a decision today. I look forward to a great game and to making this college decision at a later date."
As of now that later date is unknown as Stephenson has reportedly narrowed his choices down to St. John's University and the University of Kansas. Sources close the situation informed earlier this month that Stephenson "hinted" at playing for SJU and would announce it on March 21st after the PSAL championship game. However, Stephenson opted to move his announcement to the 31st at the McDonald's All American Media day. The Lincoln senior and his family felt that it would be better stage/setting to announce it in Miami. However, I do not think Stephenson could have asked for a better stage than making his announcement at the World's Most Famous Arena after winning his fourth consecutive PSAL championship.
Many have speculated that Stephenson is closely monitoring the roster situations at both Kansas and Kentucky and may consider joining Memphis head coach John Calipari if he leaves for Kentucky. While I believe that is highly unlikely I do think it is possible that Stephenson could be waiting to see if Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins deflect Kansas for the NBA. Kansas who recently made a run to the Elite Eight in this years NCAA tournament could be losing some talent to the NBA. Stephenson has made it known that he wants to be surrounded with quality talent.
While I am aware the decision must be a tough one for Stephenson and his family, the two postponements of the announcement have turned the announcement of a high school senior into a soap opera. Now everyone is speculating where exactly Stephenson will go and new rumors such as him going to Kentucky will pop up each day that the decision is not announced. Stephenson may have avoided the media and the tough questioning today but he will be bombarded with questions as to why the decision making process for one the country's top high school players is taking so long.
As I member of the media I have to admit that processes that are dragged out like this are a bit nerving. Journalist end up feeding the public stories that are not really stories. For example today I wrote a story about an player announcing that he would not be making an announcement! Yippee!! Is anyone excited yet?! Has the drama been built up enough?! As sports journalist we probably should respectfully await the decision of the Railsplitter senior and then tell the story when we actually have a story. However, over the next few days, weeks, or however long it takes for Lance to actually announce his decision, many media outlets will create stories fueled by speculation regarding Stephenson that aren't really stories at all.
I guess we all are just waiting. Schools are waiting and praying that a talented young basketball player from Coney Island will attend their school. Stephenson is waiting to see what will be the best situation for his future. The media and its members are waiting to be the first person to break the story or be the first person to say "I told you so" if their prediction about where Lance will end up is correct. Fans are waiting in hope that their school/program lands a marquee player. So we are all waiting whether we like it or not.
We are simply waiting for one young man to make one announcement. A young man with a nickname I love: "Born Ready." A nickname that is quite fitting as I am ready for the real announcement. So forget all the hype, the speculation and cancelled announcements. Just give me a legit announcement date and I will be ready to go!
"After discussing it, my father and I have decided the best thing to do is continue reviewing my choices. For now, I would like to focus on the McDonald's All American Game tomorrow. I am proud to be a part of this event that raises funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities.We thank the media and the McDonald's team for making this event possible. I apologize to anyone who was expecting a decision today. I look forward to a great game and to making this college decision at a later date."
As of now that later date is unknown as Stephenson has reportedly narrowed his choices down to St. John's University and the University of Kansas. Sources close the situation informed earlier this month that Stephenson "hinted" at playing for SJU and would announce it on March 21st after the PSAL championship game. However, Stephenson opted to move his announcement to the 31st at the McDonald's All American Media day. The Lincoln senior and his family felt that it would be better stage/setting to announce it in Miami. However, I do not think Stephenson could have asked for a better stage than making his announcement at the World's Most Famous Arena after winning his fourth consecutive PSAL championship.
Many have speculated that Stephenson is closely monitoring the roster situations at both Kansas and Kentucky and may consider joining Memphis head coach John Calipari if he leaves for Kentucky. While I believe that is highly unlikely I do think it is possible that Stephenson could be waiting to see if Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins deflect Kansas for the NBA. Kansas who recently made a run to the Elite Eight in this years NCAA tournament could be losing some talent to the NBA. Stephenson has made it known that he wants to be surrounded with quality talent.
While I am aware the decision must be a tough one for Stephenson and his family, the two postponements of the announcement have turned the announcement of a high school senior into a soap opera. Now everyone is speculating where exactly Stephenson will go and new rumors such as him going to Kentucky will pop up each day that the decision is not announced. Stephenson may have avoided the media and the tough questioning today but he will be bombarded with questions as to why the decision making process for one the country's top high school players is taking so long.
As I member of the media I have to admit that processes that are dragged out like this are a bit nerving. Journalist end up feeding the public stories that are not really stories. For example today I wrote a story about an player announcing that he would not be making an announcement! Yippee!! Is anyone excited yet?! Has the drama been built up enough?! As sports journalist we probably should respectfully await the decision of the Railsplitter senior and then tell the story when we actually have a story. However, over the next few days, weeks, or however long it takes for Lance to actually announce his decision, many media outlets will create stories fueled by speculation regarding Stephenson that aren't really stories at all.
I guess we all are just waiting. Schools are waiting and praying that a talented young basketball player from Coney Island will attend their school. Stephenson is waiting to see what will be the best situation for his future. The media and its members are waiting to be the first person to break the story or be the first person to say "I told you so" if their prediction about where Lance will end up is correct. Fans are waiting in hope that their school/program lands a marquee player. So we are all waiting whether we like it or not.
We are simply waiting for one young man to make one announcement. A young man with a nickname I love: "Born Ready." A nickname that is quite fitting as I am ready for the real announcement. So forget all the hype, the speculation and cancelled announcements. Just give me a legit announcement date and I will be ready to go!
