Cincinnati freshman Lance Stephenson has been cleared by the NCAA and is eligible to play immediately.A 6-foot-5, 210-pound forward, Stephenson was named the 2009 Big East Preseason Rookie of the Year.
"I am happy to be able to put this behind me," Stephenson said in a statement. "Since I committed to the Bearcats back in the summer, all I have wanted to do was get here and start playing ball with my teammates. I want to thank everyone that has given me encouragement and support during this, especially my family, coaches and teammates. They have been with me every step."
The NCAA had been investigating Stephenson's amateur status. Stephenson will make his debut Thursday night when the Bearcats play an exhibition against Saginaw Valley State.
Stephenson is the all-time leading high school scorer in New York City, as well as New York state, history with 2,946 points. As a senior at Lincoln High, he averaged 28.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
In 2008-09, Stephenson led Lincoln to an overall record of 22-11 and an unprecedented fourth consecutive Public School Athletic League (PSAL) Class AA championship. He scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 78-56 victory over John F. Kennedy High School in the league championship game. Stephenson, a three-time NYSSWA first-team selection, led the Railsplitters to state semifinals appearances his final three seasons, including Federation Tournament championships in 2007 and 2008.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-05-2009 @ 7:56PM
crrpeake said...
How in the hell can anyone possibly name a Preseason Rookie of the Year before the season has even started? Stephenson might be good, even great, or he might not.
Reply
11-06-2009 @ 1:01AM
realestpope said...
Duh----that's usually when PRESEASON anything is talked about......before the season starts. Ohterwise it wouldn't be preseason, now would it?
Reply
11-06-2009 @ 1:05AM
veepee35 said...
what was the real issue the ncaaa was investigating...
Reply
11-06-2009 @ 3:42AM
chstr330122 said...
Who knows but if he had been at WVU he would be DECLARED ineligable and would have to sit out 20 games, but hey this is one of the NCAAs darlings so PLAY BALL!
Reply
11-06-2009 @ 7:35AM
david said...
thats what i'm talking about how in the hell can you name a player preseason all american when he's a freshman and has never played a college game in his life? just like kentucky all the freshman they got all you hear is he's an all american or he's a superstar, ok maybe in highschool but wake up you're in college now and they are alot better players than those freshman ever thought about being.Oh and lets see one of kentucky's freshmen even said he was going to be a year and then go pro.Hell if i was the boys coach he wouldn't even play his freshman year no matter how good he was just to bring him back to the real world. so superstar my ass i don't believe in a preseason all american for a freshman
Reply
11-06-2009 @ 11:35AM
ktcrkelley said...
They also cleared Derrick Rose at Memphis. After season was long over they came back and "uncleared" him making Memphis forefit entire season......what an organization.
Reply
11-06-2009 @ 2:01PM
Arnie said...
What a poorly written article! Why was the NCAA investigating his amateur status, and what did they find or not find in order to "clear" him?
Reply
11-06-2009 @ 2:48PM
Jeff said...
piss poor story
Reply
11-06-2009 @ 5:56PM
ma48271 said...
NCAA is a big joke. They clear this kid, yet slap a 20 game suspension on a West Virginia player because two years ago he played on a team with one semi professional paid player. 20 games.
Not to mention agreeing a 1/2 game suspension is ok for a Florida football player that tried to gouge someone eyes out in the bottom of a pile of players. JOKE. The big name schools always get the breaks, thats the way it is, always has been.
Reply
11-06-2009 @ 6:16PM
Customize said...
Wouldn't it be nice to hear a STUDENT athlete say something like, I am really glad to get this behind me so that I can fully concentrate on my class studies to better improve myself. This is the follly of any NCAA sport - they are soooo concerned about players getting paid, yet they give them a free education while other deserving young men and women go without an education because they don't know a horsehide from a pig's bladder. Those of you with any sense will understand that last sentence.
Reply