Recruiting Features, St. John's Recruiting, Zach Smart

THOMAS, FIU MAKING PITCH FOR ‘BORN READY’

Florida International The Latest In Stephenson Sweepstakes

By Zach Smart

Florida International University has become the latest team embroiled in the seemingly never-ending Lance Stephenson sweepstakes.

FIU, where Isiah Thomas recently supplanted Sergio Rouco, is supposedly a potential suitor for the coveted but controversial 6-foot-6 guard.

“Thomas is going after Lance hard,” said a source with insider information.

“He tried to get (Kentucky-commit) Eric Bledsoe as his first step to reviving that program. As of right now, Zeke has the upper hand on Arizona, Memphis and whoever else, for reasons I’m not at liberty to speak about,” explained the source.

The source continued, “I get the inside word before it even hits the streets.”

Stephenson, a McDonald’s All-American who’s been involved in more rumors than a Perez Hilton blog, is still
undecided.

Memphis and Arizona are still in pursuit of the explosive scorer, or vice versa as the stories about Arizona’s interest level are certainly conflicting.

The source claimed Stephenson, who averaged a cool 32 points and 13 rebounds while leading Lincoln High School to their record fourth straight PSAL title, has been talking with Thomas.

Thomas never tarnished his golden legacy as a point guard at Indiana and in the NBA, though his image took major hits during his stay with the New York Knicks.

He was fired by Knicks president Donnie Walsh after run-ins with then-Knick Stephon Marbury and an abysmal 23-59 record during the 2007-08 campaign.

To top it all, a bombshell jury order saw Madison Square Garden fork over a king’s ransom ($11.6 million) to a former female team execute who Thomas allegedly sexually harassed.

While a dose of national visibility is promised, Thomas was brought in to resurrect an ailing program. The Golden Panthers went 13-20 this past season.

So, the Stephenson saga continues in a topsy-turvy recruiting process.

It has left many scratching their heads, but word around the Coney Island campfire is that Stephenson will make an announcement at Lincoln High soon.

The late signing period ends May 20, but Stephenson knows there is no midnight hour on his decision.

Lance Explodes For 38, Leads Panthers at IS8

Lance Stephenson sliced up defenders in shark-size bites, as if it was a routine day on Gotham’s streetball circuit.

An innate scoring machine, Stephenson is still undecided on a college choice.

The catalyst of a N.Y. Panthers squad dripping with All-American talent, one that emphasizes a souped-up style, Stephenson hung a game-high 38 points en route to an 84-76 dubya in the quarterfinals of the Nike Spring High School Classic. The kid they call “Born Ready” soared above the competition at IS8 in Jamaica, Queens.

Buoyed by his teammates and ever-growing entourage in the congested, bandbox gym, Stephenson put his wowing offensive arsenal on display.

A listless defensive effort and inability to clamp down on Stephenson gift-wrapped the perfect mother’s day present for Lance’s Mom, who was there proudly watching her son as he was virtually unstoppable, putting the pedal to the one-man ride to the medal.

This Week’s Featured Ticket Deals:

NHL Playoff Ticket Deals

Best NBA Playoff Ticket Deals

Best New York Yankees Ticket Deals

Best Philadelphia Phillies Ticket Deals

Best Boston Red Sox Ticket Deals

——————————————————