Florida is no longer involved with Stephenson

I touched on Lance Stephenson in my column about Tim Floyd , pointed out that it's widely believed that the school that ultimately takes the New York star will be at risk of a similar NCAA investigation. Among the schools I initially listed as still involved with Stephenson were Maryland, Arizona, Memphis and Florida. But a source close to the Florida program told me this morning that the Gators are no longer pursuing Stephenson.
"[There's a) zero (percent) chance we take him," the source said.

And when you consider that Arizona's Sean Miller also seems skeptical, that leaves Maryland and Memphis as the lone schools still believed to be genuinely open to taking Stephenson, although sources close to the Memphis progam have long insisted Josh Pastner and his staff do not have a good feeling for where they stand, don't really know what's happening with Stephenson or what he's thinking.

My guess?

Stephenson never plays in college.

Just like I'm assuming Renardo Sidney never plays in college, either.

And truth be told, that'll probably be what's best for everybody involved.

I wrote the following back on June the 2nd. I truly believe that the NBA and the college game, working together, need to come up with a practical solution to the problem of kids who have no business (nor any desire) attending college:

A few years back, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that it was the NBA's intention to expand their developmental league, the NBDL, into a true minor league "farm system." The idea, similar to that of Major League Baseball, but with fewer levels (AAA, AA, A, etc.), was to feed players directly from the league's developmental squads to the NBA "parent squads" with whom they're affiliated. This scenario, in my opinion, still represents the best possible solution to the "one & done" problem that has muddied the waters of the college game.

The unfortunate truth is this: while college represents to most high school basketball players an opportunity to play ball and to parlay their talent into a free education, to a very select few, college represents something very different. To these elite talents...players whose interest in earning an immediate payday far exceeds their desire to take college level courses...college represents nothing more than a one year roadblock on their path to the NBA.

Now don't get me wrong. I have no issue whatsoever when a kid decides, after just one season of college ball, that he's ready to take his talents to the next level. I have no problem with this...just as long as that kid truly was a student-athlete during his one year in college. It's not enough that he somehow manages to get past one semester of college, thus ensuring that he's eligible for the remainder of the basketball season. It's not enough! If a kid truly has no desire to attend class for the entire school year, and to take advantage of the education that's been afforded to him, he shouldn't have to. Similarly, colleges and universities should not compromise their standing as places of higher education by admitting a kid who has no real interest in being a student...simply because he's a great basketball player.

This brings me back to the NBA's developmental league, the NBDL. In my opinion, it would be in the best interests for all parties involved...the NBA, college basketball, and these kids...to allow high school players to declare for the NBA Draft. Here's the catch though. They still must be one year clear of their senior year in high school before becoming eligible to play in the NBA. They can still be drafted, they can still be paid, but they must play their first season in the developmental league. Then, after that initial year in the NBDL, they're now eligible to be "called up." For the NBA's part, making this work will add depth, not to mention a little star power, to their developmental league. Not only that, it will provide these handful of elite talents...kids who truly aren't interested in experiencing what the college game and the college life has to offer them...an option other than playing basketball overseas.

As for the college game? I don't believe college basketball will be hurt at all by missing out on the handful of high school players each year who choose to take the NBA/NBDL route. I think most top high school players will still want to experience college life. I think most top high school players will still want to experience playing at Rupp Arena...Allen Fieldhouse...Cameron Indoor. I think most top high school players will still want to experience playing in the NCAA Tournament...in the Final Four. There remains a ton that the college game, and the college life, offers these kids that playing a year in the NBDL frankly does not.

Above all else, college basketball certainly will not be hurt by avoiding ugly situations such as the O.J. Mayo saga at USC or the Derrick Rose situation at Memphis. If these kids have no interest at all in being students, and their talent is such that the big bucks are available to them right away, I say let's stop the charade now, and let them be what they are...basketball players. Not only will these players benefit, but the game of college basketball, in the long run, benefits as well.

theriverrock Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 2, 2007	Posted on: June 10, 2009 12:25 pm Score: 107 Florida is no longer involved with Stephenson I wrote the following back on June the 2nd. I truly believe that the NBA and the college game, working together, need to come up with a practical solution to the problem of kids who have no business (nor any desire) attending college: A few years back, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that it was the NBA's intention to expand their developmental league, the NBDL, into a true minor league "farm system." The idea, similar to that of Major League Baseball, but with fewer levels (AAA, AA, A, etc.), was to feed players directly from the league's developmental squads to the NBA "parent squads" with whom they're affiliated. This scenario, in my opinion, still represents the best possible solution to the "one & done" problem that has muddied the waters of the college game. The unfortunate truth is this: while college represents to most high school basketball players an opportunity to play ball *and* to parlay their talent into a free education, to a very select few, college represents something very different. To these elite talents...players whose interest in earning an immediate payday far exceeds their desire to take college level courses...college represents nothing more than a one year roadblock on their path to the NBA. Now don't get me wrong. I have no issue whatsoever when a kid decides, after just one season of college ball, that he's ready to take his talents to the next level. I have no problem with this...just as long as that kid truly was a *student-athlete during his one year in college. It's not enough that he somehow manages to get past one semester of college, thus ensuring that he's eligible for the remainder of the basketball season. It's not enough! If a kid truly has no desire to attend class for the entire school year, and to take advantage of the education that's been afforded to him, he shouldn't have to. Similarly, colleges and universities should not compromise their standing as places of higher education by admitting a kid who has no real interest in being a student...simply because he's a great basketball player. This brings me back to the NBA's developmental league, the NBDL. In my opinion, it would be in the best interests for all parties involved...the NBA, college basketball, and* these kids...to allow high school players to declare for the NBA Draft. Here's the catch though. They still must be one year clear of their senior year in high school before becoming eligible to play in the NBA. They can still be drafted, they can still be paid, but they *must* play their first season in the developmental league. Then, after that initial year in the NBDL, they're now eligible to be "called up." For the NBA's part, making this work will add depth, not to mention a little star power, to their developmental league. Not only that, it will provide these handful of elite talents...kids who truly aren't interested in experiencing what the college game and the college life has to offer them...an option other than playing basketball overseas. As for the college game? I don't believe college basketball will be hurt at all by missing out on the *handful* of high school players each year who choose to take the NBA/NBDL route. I think most top high school players will still want to experience college life. I think most top high school players will still want to experience playing at Rupp Arena...Allen Fieldhouse...Cameron Indoor. I think most top high school players will still want to experience playing in the NCAA Tournament...in the Final Four. There remains *a ton* that the college game, and the college life, offers these kids that playing a year in the NBDL frankly does not. Above all else, college basketball certainly will not be hurt by avoiding ugly situations such as the O.J. Mayo saga at USC or the Derrick Rose situation at Memphis. If these kids have no interest at all in being students, and their talent is such that the big bucks are available to them right away, I say let's stop the charade now, and let them be what they are...basketball players. Not only will these players benefit, but the game of college basketball, in the long run, benefits as well. [ Reply to Comment ]
White Meat Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 14, 2008	Posted on: June 10, 2009 12:25 pm Score: 100 Florida is no longer involved with Stephenson All that talent and no ones wants him on there team. Maybe Memphis should back off this guy to. This is the last thing Josh Pastner needs as a new head coach is a troubled kid on his team. I hope Lance Stephenson gets his act together and I wish him the best of luck. [ Reply to Comment ]
CUSEYOURSELF Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 22, 2009	Posted on: June 10, 2009 12:51 pm Score: 108 Just go to St. Johns The St. Johns program hasn't landed a big recruit in ages. Who cares if he's a problem recruit... The Johnnies just need someone that can put them back on the map and why not try and do it with a city kid. I went to the Primetime Shootout in Trenton a few months back and Lance brought quite the crowd. This kid will bring tickets and get St. Johns some National Exposure. [ Reply to Comment ]
debo7apo1 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 9, 2007	Posted on: June 10, 2009 12:52 pm Score: 89 Florida is no longer involved with Stephenson The first team (oh, i mean, aheemmmm, school), to offer this kid a Hummer and $4000 month (under the table) stipen for lunch money, get him. Yea, im sure Reggie Bush was the ONLY person in NCAA history to ever take gifts. People are idiots. This goes on everyday, for years now! How does a #2 draft pick, NBA -ready Michael Beasely, wind up at Kansas State (opposed to a UCLA, Kansas, UNC, Duke, etc.) for ONE YEAR. K-State gets TV $$ and recruit exposure. Nice deal for them, regardless of what they gave up to get Beasly out of HS (which im sure they PAID for his 12 month services) , since the NBA wouldnt take him unless he spent 1 year in NCAA. All a joke! An un-funny joke! [ Reply to Comment ]
ttownfunkster Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 11, 2008	Posted on: June 10, 2009 1:04 pm Score: 105 Florida is no longer involved with Stephenson K-State got Beasley b/c they gave his AAU coach an "assistant" coaching gig with a $450K salary. highest bidder won. as a terp fan it would be neat to see lance put on a terp jersey -- his high school front court mate (padgett) is coming to College Park. However since it seems high risk, high reward I'm not crushed if the terps don't get him -- terps program is in a bit of flux and I wouldn't want this situation to topple what gary built in teh 90's and early 00's. [ Reply to Comment ]
EatEmUpKSU Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Apr 21, 2009	Posted on: June 10, 2009 1:13 pm Score: 71 Florida is no longer involved with Stephenson Beasley did come because we gave Delonte Hill an assistant coaching job. What you fail to notice, is that Delonte is still coaching for us, and still landing high profile recruits. While it is true that Beasley came because of him, Delonte has definetly showed he is worth the salary. He is no Ronnie Chalmers [ Reply to Comment ]
Badger64 Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 25, 2007	Posted on: June 10, 2009 2:49 pm Score: 75 Florida is no longer involved with Stephenson This Memphis fan makes sense regarding what should be Memphis' interest. If White Meat is a Memphis grad, though, he should have concentrated more on his grammar classes. It's ``their',' not ``there.'' And ``too,'' not ``to.'' [ Reply to Comment ]
bluegray213 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 21, 2007	Posted on: June 10, 2009 2:56 pm Score: 113 Florida is no longer involved with Stephenson EatemupKSU, What you failed to notice is thats is not against NCAA rules to hire in a AAU coach. K State did it, Kansas did it. Who still plays basketball at a high level. Kansas. Who didnt have to pay Ronnie Chalmers 450K. Kansas. Who continues to win recruits in this state. Kansas. Dont ever lump Kansas in with Kansas State on that issue. The problem with K state was, is that the AD was so desparate to hire Martin and pay Hill all that money to keep one guy. How far did it get them? Will they be paying for it in 5 years? Just look to the Football program for that answer. [ Reply to Comment ]
demo Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 15, 2009	Posted on: June 10, 2009 3:26 pm Score: 137 Florida is no longer involved with Stephenson If they take him, they take him with the knowledge that he's likely already received monetary compensation as a high school player and will likely lose his amateur status -- i.e., he will be a walking NCAA investigation and lead to potential major sanctions and embarrassment to the school that takes him. You cannot knowingly take a player that has lost his amateur status and pretend like you didn't know when every other major school in the country turned him down for this. Gary doesn't need this problem. He's a good enough coach to win with less talent than the big boys. I'd focus on getting Vasquez back for next year. [ Reply to Comment ]
JimEquity99 Reputation: 87 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 4, 2009	Posted on: June 10, 2009 3:51 pm Score: 124 Florida is no longer involved with Stephenson There is absolutely no reason to not let guys bypass college altogether to enter the NBA draft. The one and done thing with college is an absolutely ridiculous notion that serves no one but maybe CBS sports for their college basketball television ratings. I think the given time the lack of the one and dones will enhance the college game just for the simple fact that you may not get OJ Mayo for a year, but you get the third best guard to commit and give the program four years of blood, sweat, and tears in exchange for a degree. Let these guys go and try out their dream. If it doesn't work, well honestly is one, two, or three years going to turn them into a can't miss NBA player? Let them go to Europe or a development league. [ Reply to Comment ]

Gary Parrish

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