The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Barker has an article today saying that MD is no longer recruiting Lance Stephenson.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/basketball/mens/bal-sp.stephenson16jun16,0,1337502.story
Mr. Barker is a good reporter, and I read his Tracking the Terps blog because he does not provide heresay or conjecture.
Despite this story, I believe Stephenson has a great chance of being a Terp by the end of the month.
Here is what is known…
1) Stephenson visited MD
2) Gary and the coaching staff visited Stephenson in NY
3) Stephenson’s HS teammate Padgett is coming to MD
4) MD recruited Stephenson for months..
5) Stephenson wanted to go to Kansas… when Henry left Memphis for Kansas, that made Stephenson go looking again.
6) Stephenson wanted to get the court-case over with (trial at the end of June) prior to selecting a college.
7) Just last week, Stephenson and his father spoke to Zagsblog.com, where FL was eliminated… Arizona was said to want to stay with their existing 3 man class… Memphis appeared to have no traction, and Europe was again ruled out as an option. In that same article, it was mentioned how the Stephenson’s were in constant contact with the MD coaching staff, and how they expected resolution shortly.
http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/06/11/florida-out-for-lance-maryland-the-leader/#more-17731
Now, MD knows all that… has been recruiting Stephenson all this time… sees resolution is coming… and pulls out of the running? I doubt it, just does not make sense.
If you pull out now, you stand to irritate a lot of people in NY which is not exactly a great move recruiting wise.
What would have possibly changed for MD to decide to pull-out now?
Vasquez returning?
Lets look back at Vasquez’s March quote:
“If I come back, my goal is not going to be just to make the tournament,” Vasquez said. “My goal is to win a national championship. But, in the meantime, we’ve got to get Lance [Stephenson]. With a big-time scorer I can guarantee you a lot of things.”
Put it this way, if Stephenson’s case is cleared, and he tells the MD Coaching staff he wants to come to MD, I will be shocked if he is not handed a Terp uniform.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.