The on-going soap opera that has become Lance Stephenson added another chapter recently when the 19 year old Indiana Pacers rookie guard was arrested for allegedly pushing his girlfriend down a flight of stairs in Brooklyn.
Jasmine Williams, 21, the mother of Stephenson’s child, suffered head and neck injuries after being shoved headfirst down 10 steps in her apartment building, authorities said.
Stephenson, a second round draft pick of the Pacers in the 2010 NBA Draft, was charged with second and third degree assault, harassment and menacing. A charge of criminal possession of a weapon was added, although a spokesperson wouldn’t comment on the weapons charge.
The Pacers issued a statement acknowledging Stephenson’s arrest, but declined further comment until more facts are known.
Having entered the NBA Draft after playing only one season at the University of Cincinnati, Stephenson, regarded by draft experts as a first-round talent, fell to the Pacers at the number 40 position primarily due to questions about the former New York City high school phenom’s maturity stemming from a history of questionable behavior, including a prior arrest in 2008 for sexual assault on a 17 year old high school girl.
The 6’5″ backcourt star, who became the leading career scorer in New York state history following four city championships at Lincoln High School, has constantly been embroiled in controversy ever since he was anointed as the next “Great One” as an 8th grader. His college recruitment became a national day-by-day news story, as much for the colleges that showed great interest and then backed away, leaving observers speculating on the reasons for such an obvious mega-talent becoming somewhat of a pariah. The theories were numerous, ranging from his on-court selfish demeanor to his ever-present, overbearing father to his participation in a controversial Internet reality series “Born Ready.”
Stephenson’s “me-first” attitude was evidenced by Davidson head coach Bob McKillop‘s statement after cutting the player from tryouts for the U.S. Under-18 team, which McKillop coached; “Five percent of the game is played with the ball in your hands. The other 95% is played without the ball in your hands. Lance had to work on that.”
Lance Stephenson, Sr. is a constant presence whenever and wherever his son plays. The very vocal father has been extremely “hands-on” during his son’s rise to fame and recruitment. His insistence on being involved in every aspect has no doubt turned off many recruiters and left most shaking their heads.
Seen as another example of “too much, too soon,” one can only hope Stephenson somehow turns his situation around and makes the most of his God-given talents before it’s too late.
